Subhead:The premier has repeatedly asserted her preference for a “strong Alberta within a united Canada” while the push for a referendum has been conducted through the province’s citizen initiative legislation.#
Political scientist Duane Bratt argues that Premier Danielle Smith is “willing to risk national unity” and that Alberta separatism is now tied to her political survival. But that framing skips over a fundamental question: why has support for Alberta independence grown in the first place?
Duane Bratt says Danielle Smith is “willing to risk national unity” to manage internal UCP politics — and that Alberta separatism is now tied to her political survival.#ableg #cdnpoli #DanielleSmith #Alberta pic.twitter.com/9OC7yDDZWN
— Energi Media (@EnergiMedia) June 30, 2026
The independence movement did not begin with Danielle Smith, nor was it created by her. Long before the current referendum campaign, Albertans were expressing frustration over equalization, pipeline cancellations, the federal emissions cap, the Impact Assessment Act, and what many see as a pattern of Ottawa imposing policies that disproportionately harm Alberta’s economy.
Polling has shown support for independence reaching levels that can no longer be dismissed as a fringe phenomenon.
Smith herself has repeatedly said she supports a “strong Alberta within a united Canada” and has stated that she would vote to remain in Canada.
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