The premiers of Canada’s four western provinces and three territories will meet in Kananaskis Country, west of Calgary, this week.
While leaders have much to discuss, the possibility of Alberta separatism will loom large over the meeting.
The meeting, which Nunavut Premier John Main will join virtually, comes just days after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced her government would hold a referendum in October that could pave the way for Alberta’s separation from Canada.
British Columbia Premier David Eby speaks to reporters ahead of the annual Western Premiers Meeting being held in Alberta this week.
Global News
British Columbia Premier David Eby, who has clashed with Smith over his desire to build a new pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast, said he wondered why they were meeting in Alberta to talk cooperation when the host premier wanted to test separation.
“To say that this is the worst time to start testing the bonds that hold this country together is an understatement,” Eby said.
“It empowers the people who would destroy our country and sell us for parts.”
Eby called Smith’s plan to hold a vote in October “reckless,” and said a meeting of western and northern political leaders this week should discuss internal trade barriers, issues around national defense and economic corridors.
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“These topics seem confusing at best, even awkward considering the referendum question posed by Prime Minister Smith,” he said.
On Monday, BC’s Premier also reiterated his opposition to an oil pipeline to BC’s north coast, saying a ban on oil tanker traffic in the region cannot be compromised.
Alberta’s referendum plans were announced as Smith’s government inches closer to submitting a proposal to build a new pipeline to the coast in July.
This is part of an agreement between Ottawa and Alberta that also includes looser carbon pricing for the province.
There is no private initiative yet and industry experts say the referendum adds uncertainty for potential investors.
“We know that companies don’t like to make decisions when there is uncertainty and a separation wouldn’t help,” said Richard Masson, former CEO of the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission.
“The industry has been trying to get better market access and this goes against that.”
While Smith said he looked forward to working with Eby this week, he also offered some criticism of his own, repeating his claim that political leaders across the country have fueled separatism in Alberta by throwing obstacles at the province’s oil industry.
He has pointed the finger at his old foes, former prime minister Justin Trudeau, Liberal MPs in Ottawa, federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis and the leadership in British Columbia.
On Monday, he singled out Eby and several former prime ministers.
“Not just the current prime minister, but John Horgan, and Christy Clark – this has been going on for a long time,” said Smith, who accused them of hindering the development of critical infrastructure on the West Coast.
“These ports are not British Columbia ports. They are Canadian ports.”
Although Smith changed his citizen’s initiative law several times in the past year to pave the way for secessionist petitions, Smith argued that the push for secession did not emerge overnight.
“This happens because there are successive obstacles preventing us from realizing our economic prosperity and being able to attract investment and being able to regulate ourselves,” he said.
“I think there just needs to be some self-reflection.”
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe also weighed in on the referendum on Monday, saying he believed Smith had no choice but to announce the vote under his province’s constitution.
“We have had 10 years of detrimental policies that were not consulted by the previous prime minister,” he said.
Although Moe said he aligns with Smith’s position regarding Alberta remaining in Canada, as premier of Saskatchewan, he said it is not his place to judge Albertans.
–with files from The Canadian Press
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