NDP's Nenshi urges Smith to cancel Oct. 19 separation referendum
The call comes as Ottawa rolls out a $7.5-billion tariff-relief package amid an ongoing trade dispute with the United States.
Why it matters
The timing of the referendum debate intersects with federal efforts to shield Canadian workers and businesses from the ongoing U.S. trade dispute, both of which directly affect Albertans.
Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is calling on Premier Danielle Smith to cancel or postpone the province's referendum on separation, arguing the vote should not proceed while Canada is engaged in a trade war with the United States. Speaking to reporters in Calgary on Tuesday, Nenshi said "it's time to call off the referendum."
Albertans are scheduled to vote Oct. 19 on whether the provincial government should begin the legal process toward a future binding referendum on Alberta separating from Canada.
The referendum call comes as the federal Liberal government unveiled a $7.5-billion tariff-relief package, which it says builds on $25 billion in relief programs introduced over the past 18 months. The new funding includes $2 billion for a "Canada Strong Diversification Fund" to support medium-sized companies with capital maintenance projects, and $3.5 billion in changes to Employment Insurance, including a one-year measure protecting workers who voluntarily left a job from being penalized when applying for EI, provided their most recent job loss was not their fault.
The developments unfolded alongside continued trade tensions with the United States, where President Donald Trump renewed criticism of Canada and Prime Minister Mark Carney over the weekend.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.