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Or sign-in if you have an account.Premier Danielle Smith speaks to Albertans on Thursday, May 22, 2026. Photo by Danielle Smith/YouTubeEDMONTON — Finally. In a televised address Thursday night, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made an emotional, impassioned plea for Canada, and outlined how Alberta can achieve its goals without separating. It was optimistic, yet grounded in reality. It was emotional, but not maudlin, critical of Ottawa, but not rage filled. It is exactly what Albertans needed to hear from the premier. It might be something of a contradiction that Smith delivered a triumphantly pro-Canada speech, while also announcing plans to have a referendum related to separation, but it says something that the premier spoke more highly of Canada than any number of politicians whose patriotism is not in question.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorSmith started by outlining what makes Canada unique. She distinguished this country from the U.S., but not in the way an Ontario Liberal might. Whereas our neighbours to the south “centralizes the majority of power and decision-making in its federal government,” she said, Canada “chose a decentralized federation composed of very unique and diverse provinces left to govern themselves in almost all matters.”This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againSomeone nitpicking might point out that the separation of federal and provincial/state powers in Canada and the U.S. was originally the opposite of what it is now.But Smith isn’t wrong that how power is divided between levels of government is the central tension in Canada. Smith clearly, and justifiably, objects to Ottawa seeking to further centralize power. “I truly believe our country is so much stronger and more prosperous when we respect the rights of provinces,” she said.It is a state of affairs that Alberta, under Smith, has consistently resisted. “We have been relentless in making our voices heard,” she said, pointing to dozens of legal challenges, advertising campaigns, the forming of alliances with other provinces and persistently lobbying Ottawa.Smith declared herself “fiercely loyal to both Alberta and Canada,” and explained how the federal government has now relaxed its opposition to Alberta’s energy sector. “The days of Ottawa dictating and interfering in provincial affairs must come to an end,” she said.It is thanks to the efforts made by Alberta, Smith argued, that the federal Liberals have scrapped plans to bring in an emissions cap and clean electricity regulations, and why a new pipeline to the West Coast “will be on track to have its permitting completed by September of next year.”Smith went on.“This complete turning of Canadian government policy and national public opinion was unthinkable just a few short years ago,” she said. And the reason why there has been a change? “We turned the tide. We are winning hearts and minds to our cause right across the country.”While I have my doubts about the viability of the memorandum of understanding signed between Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney, the fact the federal government has even been willing to discuss shelving some of its more obnoxious environmental policies is a testament to the premier’s skill at winning people over.And speaking of getting people onside, Smith went beyond listing frustrations with Ottawa and made a point of addressing those who favour separatism and appealed directly to their hearts. “I ask you to please consider joining me to vote for Alberta to remain in Canada, and not give up on our beautiful country just as we’re gaining respect and the tide has turned in our favour.”The premier also made arguments for Canada as a grand and ambitious project, invoking our shared history and filial attachments. “Together with our fellow Canadians, we have built a Canada that is loved and respected all over the world,” she said. It is a line that is reminiscent of Sir John A. Macdonald when he spoke of his wish for Canadians to be a “great nationality, commanding the respect of the world.”Smith spoke of Canadians making the “ultimate sacrifice” in Europe during the Second World War, and of how Canada helped fight “the forces of communism, and terrorism.” She spoke of “peacemakers,” but also of “entrepreneurs,” “innovators” and “explorers.”Canada as described by Smith is confident, daring and sitting astride the whole world. The picture she painted of this country was both aspirational and profoundly grounded. This was not a Canada clinging to past glories, or to myths about being honest brokers. Canada is those things, at least to some degree, but, more importantly, it is a nation that, at its best, stands on its own, a land of liberty and duty.The case for Canada, therefore, is contingent on making a case that it can be fixed and persuading Albertans there is a plan to fix it.Now, of course, just before Smith made her case for Canada, she announced that there would indeed be a referendum related to separation this fall. More accurately, it is a referendum on whether or not the government should pursue a referendum on separation. Her critics are not entirely wrong to point out that it is a ridiculous proposition that will leave no one satisfied. Not the separatists who had their own referendum question killed, at least temporarily, by a judge. And certainly not those behind the Forever Canadian petition, whose question about remaining a part of Canada has been twisted into something unrecognizable. The result is that Albertans will be asked to consider this, which I must agree is an abomination of language and good sense: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?” The fact that the Constitution says nothing about separation or referendums continues to be lost on people who should know better. The Supreme Court’s 1998 reference that hallucinated an “obligation” on Ottawa and the provinces to negotiate after a successful separation referendum in one of part of the country continues to do its damage.In any case, Smith’s opponents are hopping mad. Some of the more extreme elements of the separatist movement are already making plans to try and have her turfed out as leader of the UCP and replaced with one of their own. Maybe that will be fruitful, maybe it won’t. The separatists are nothing if not wholly besotted by factionalism.The other side of the equation is that Smith has offered something that could placate moderates. Even if the “leave” side does win, the vote is not binding, and would still require a second vote. Sure, it kicks the can down the road, but buying time isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A year or two from now, if pipeline construction is underway and investment in the energy sector is increasing at a healthy pace, the appetite for separatism could collapse. Crisis averted.In the meantime, Smith should let her Captain Canada persona out more often.National Post Get the latest from Carson Jerema straight to your inbox Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.