EDMONTON — Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith reports having a “constructive” discussion with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
This gathering is the initial one following Carney’s Liberal victory in Monday’s election, where Smith cautioned the prime minister about potential “adverse actions” her administration might direct towards her province.
Smith, who often downplayed Carney during the electoral campaign in favor of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, stated on social media on Friday that she and Carney had an extensive discussion regarding policies and laws hindering Alberta’s energy sector.
“We also discussed our ongoing trade dispute with the United States and how the federal government can work co-operatively with our province to advance both Canada’s and Alberta’s interests,” Smith said.
Fixing the harm done to Alberta’s economy due to Ottawa’s past decade of anti-resource laws and policies will require significant effort and collaboration; nonetheless, today’s discussion marked a constructive initial move forward.
Carney expressed gratitude to Smith on social media for the conversation.
He stated on Friday that they are both dedicated to reducing the cost of living and enhancing opportunities within the energy industry for the diligent residents of Alberta.
I am excited about our collaboration — to dismantle interprovincial trade barriers and to create a unified Canadian economy.
This statement follows Smith urging Carney to reassess the connection between Ottawa and Alberta.
This move follows her government presenting new legislation earlier this week that makes it easier for citizens to launch referendums, which could include efforts to have Alberta separate from Canada.
Leaders from Indigenous communities throughout the province and nation have denounced this action, asserting that Smith is fueling separatist sentiments and breaching treaty obligations as part of these efforts.
“Suggesting that people should cast votes on whether to adopt treaty lands is preposterous and goes against the solemn agreements made during treaty negotiations, which established our relationship as nations,” stated Chief Sheldon Sunshine of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation at a press conference on Friday.
Smith mentioned that the legislation simplifies participation in democracy for Albertans, adding that she did not wish to anticipate what specific referendum questions could emerge.
Prior to the election, Smith presented a set of requirements for the incoming prime minister and vowed to establish a committee to seek input from Albertans regarding their preferences should the Liberals secure a fourth successive term.
On Thursday, Smith’s administration launched legal proceedings against Ottawa – merely three days after Carney took office and prior to appointing a cabinet – posing a query about the constitutional validity of the federal government’s clean electricity grid regulations to the Alberta Court of Appeal.
Smith contends that the recently enacted regulations from late last year represent an instance of excessive federal intervention and will only undermine the affordability and stability of Alberta’s power supply system.
One of Smith’s nine requests involved discarding the regulations, and she stated on Thursday that she hadn’t been given any sign suggesting Carney intended to address the matter.
Another demand Smith had was for Ottawa to offer guarantees that pipelines could be built in every direction, and she said on social media Friday that Carney “made it clear he intended to rapidly advance these kinds of nation-building projects in the coming weeks and months.”
The report from The Canadian Press was initially released on May 2, 2025.
Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
