Premier David Eby slammed Alberta’s separatist movement during a meeting of Western premiers Monday, calling it “awkward” to discuss topics such as interprovincial trade and national defence while Alberta considers questions about breaking away from Canada.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced last week that a non-binding question on separation would be included in the province’s fall referendum.
Eby said the current uncertain relationship with the United States makes it a bad time to question Canada’s unity.
“It threatens our national economy. It empowers the people who would break our country up and sell us for parts,” said Eby.
Smith said she personally supports remaining in Canada, but added it’s important to acknowledge Albertans’ “legitimate grievances.”
The meeting in Kananaskis comes amid heightened tensions between Alberta and B.C., as Smith presses ahead with a pitch to build a new oil pipeline to B.C.’s coast.
Alberta and Ottawa signed an agreement earlier this month that includes a more favourable carbon price for Alberta and a pathway to begin construction on a new pipeline as early as September 2027.
However, there are still many steps before a new pipeline can go ahead, as the project has no proponent and no route.
Smith is planning to submit an application to the federal Major Projects Office by July for potential fast-tracking of the proposed project.
Smith has said she favours a northern route for a pipeline that would carry Alberta crude oil to the coast for export to Asian markets.
Eby and First Nations on the northwest coast oppose any changes to the federal moratorium on oil tankers in the region.
Smith blamed B.C. premiers, both past and present, for inadvertently stirring up separatist sentiments by blocking Alberta’s oil infrastructure.
“I think there just needs to be self-reflection,” said Smith. “You don’t end up with a situation where a million or more Albertans have given up on the country overnight. You get there because of successive barriers to us being able to realize our economic prosperity and be able to attract investment and be able to govern ourselves.”
Eby noted Monday that B.C. has been left out of discussions between Ottawa and Alberta around the proposed pipeline.
“We hope to be at the table, but we’re not yet,” he said.
Eby met with Prime Minister Mark Carney last Wednesday for discussions about the potential pipeline and federal support for other major projects in B.C.
