EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith recently described her first meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney as "positive." This encounter represented the initial discussion following the Liberal Party's victory in the recent election, where Smith had previously criticized Carney in favor of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
On social media, Smith remarked that she and Carney engaged in a substantial dialogue focusing on policies and legislation that she believes are hindering Alberta's energy economy. She stated, “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 emphasized that addressing the economic damage caused by what she described as Ottawa’s last ten years of anti-resource legislation would demand significant collaboration and effort. However, she regarded their conversation as a promising initial step.
In response, Carney thanked Smith via social media and echoed a mutual commitment to tackle rising living costs and enhance opportunities within the energy sector for hardworking Albertans. He expressed his eagerness to collaborate, stating, “I look forward to working together — to break down interprovincial trade barriers and to build one strong Canadian economy.”
This meeting follows Smith's call for a reassessment of the relationship between the provincial and federal governments. The timing is also notable, as Smith's administration recently presented legislation aimed at decreasing the requirements for citizens to initiate referendums, including potential votes on Alberta's separation from Canada. Indigenous leaders across the province have criticized this initiative, asserting that Smith is inciting separatism and breaching treaty obligations. Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine described the move as “absurd” and contrary to the sacred covenants established at the time of treaty making.
Smith defended the legislation by arguing that it enhances democratic participation for Albertans, asserting that she did not wish to preemptively determine which referendum questions could emerge. Notably, prior to the election, she specified a set of demands aimed at the next prime minister and indicated plans to initiate a panel to gauge Albertans' opinions should the Liberals secure another term.
Additionally, within days of Carney's inauguration, Smith’s government launched legal proceedings against Ottawa. This included a referral to the Alberta Court of Appeal regarding the constitutionality of the federal government’s clean electricity grid regulations, which she contends exemplify federal overreach and are detrimental to Alberta's electricity grid's affordability and reliability. The regulations were finalized late the previous year, and Smith had listed their abandonment as one of her nine demands, expressing that Carney had not shown any intention to rectify the matter.
Among her other demands was a request for the federal government to guarantee that pipelines could be constructed in all directions. In response to this demand, Smith noted on social media that Carney “made it clear he intended to rapidly advance these kinds of nation-building projects in the coming weeks and months.”
This article originally appeared on May 2, 2025.
Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
