Danielle Smith avoids talk of separation at Alberta Day as referendum looms

Premier Danielle Smith avoided discussing provincial separation while commemorating Alberta's entry into Confederation, but emphasized Canada's recognition of the province's significance. Speaking at a small gathering in Calgary's Heritage Park on Sunday, Smith highlighted Alberta as the economic engine of the nation, emphasizing that the world needs what Alberta has to offer.

The province officially joined Canada on September 1, 1905, and festivities took place over the weekend leading up to the province's birthday on Tuesday.

Smith proposed a referendum on October 19 to determine if Alberta should remain in Canada or if a binding second referendum on separation should take place. At the event, many attendees displayed hand-sized flags representing both Alberta and Canada, and Heritage Park President and CEO Lindsey Galloway emphasized that the day should not be political.

Galloway stated that attending the festival reminded the crowd of their shared history and belonging to one place. Some separatists gathered outside the Edmonton legislature on Saturday, declaring Alberta would be better off without Canada, while opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi called for the fall referendum to be postponed due to the trade war with the United States.

Thomas Lukaszuk, organizer of the pro-federalist Forever Canadian petition, echoed the sentiment, urging Albertans to unite with Canadians in opposing the economic threat posed by the trade tensions. Premier Smith, who has stated her intention to vote for Alberta to remain in Confederation, compared the anger felt by Canadians in Quebec and Ontario towards former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the anger Albertans harbor against Trudeau.

Smith asserted that addressing the issues rather than ignoring them is the key to resolving problems, and reiterated her call for Albertans to vote for remaining in Confederation.