Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Tech Style & Beauty Kitchen & Dining Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeCanadaKinew rebukes Smith over court decision on consulting with First Nations on separatism petitionKinew said he agreed with the decision, adding it was a no-brainer that Indigenous groups should be consultedLast updated 19 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Alberta Premier Danielle Smith listens as Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew criticizes Alberta's separatism referendum during a press conference at the Western Premiers' Conference in Kananaskis, Alberta on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Photo by Gavin Young /PostmediaOTTAWA — Sparks flew at a western premiers’ meeting in Kananaskis, Alta., as Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew took issue with Alberta counterpart Danielle Smith’s characterization of a recent court ruling as “antidemocratic.” 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 AccountorKinew said Smith was being disingenuous about Justice Shaina Leonard’s move earlier this month to throw out a separatist petition calling for a referendum on Alberta independence.“I think we know that that is not correct. A lot of you just said there, Premier Smith,” Kinew said in a tense moment at a summit-ending press conference.Kinew was reacting to Smith’s assertion moments earlier that Leonard “erred” by ruling that the constitutional duty to consult should apply to citizen-initiated petitions.He said this was a fundamental misreading of the decision.“It is not up to the petition gatherers to fulfill the duty to consult. It is up to you, as the Alberta government, to fulfill the duty to consult.Leonard wrote in a 37-page decision that elections officials failed to adequately consult First Nations before green-lighting the petition.Smith says she plans to appeal the decision.Kinew said he agreed with the decision, adding it was a no-brainer that Indigenous groups should be consulted on the matter of Alberta potentially separating from Canada.“When there’s clearly going to be an impact on well-established existing hunting and fishing rights by putting up an international border… that is going to infringe on rights. And so there is a duty to consult,” said Kinew.Kinew said that he’d already expressed his views about the decision to Smith in private.Smith, the summit’s host, was quick to take the high road.“And this why we have the courts,” said Smith in response to Kinew’s objection.This wasn’t the only shot Kinew took at Smith during the press conference.“I’ve heard loud and clear that Indigenous people, from coast to coast to coast, are prepared to use every treaty right at our disposal to ensure that Canada does not lose (Edmonton Oilers captain) Connor McDavid,” said Kinew in an opening joke.National Postrmohamed@postmedia.comOur website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. 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.