Manning defends Smith ahead of Oct. 19 Alberta referendum
Preston Manning says polls outside Alberta wrongly cast Premier Danielle Smith as a separatist, despite her long record of championing a united Canada.
Why it matters
The Oct. 19 referendum could set in motion a formal process toward Alberta separation from Canada, making the public debate over Smith's positioning significant for all Albertans.
Preston Manning, the 84-year-old former Reform Party leader and federal opposition leader, said Wednesday he is baffled that some Canadians view Alberta Premier Danielle Smith as anti-Canada. He said opinion polls outside Alberta suggest many see her as a separatist, even though she has for years been one of the most vocal advocates for both a strong Alberta and a united Canada.
Manning made the comments while promoting the Alberta and the West Assembly, a virtual two-day forum he is co-hosting starting Sept. 19. He said Smith will speak at the event about Alberta continuing to grow as a strong and sovereign province within Canada, and predicted Canadians will get a renewed look at her views. The forum will also feature groups for and against secession, and is intended to help inform Alberta voters ahead of the referendum.
Smith has called a referendum for Oct. 19 asking whether Alberta should remain in Canada or whether a second, binding referendum should be held on starting the legal process to separate. It is one of 10 questions Albertans will vote on, with the other nine covering immigration and constitutional matters. Smith has said enough Albertans now view separation as a legitimate response to federal interference to justify putting the issue to a vote.
The Opposition NDP and other critics have accused Smith of inflating and legitimizing the grievances of a small group of hardline separatists within her United Conservative party.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.