Smith makes emotional case against separation ahead of Oct. 19 referendum

Premier Danielle Smith became emotional Saturday while speaking as the opening presenter at a virtual assembly on Alberta's future in Canada, co-hosted by former Reform Party leader Preston Manning and former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell. Smith held back tears describing frustrations she said Albertans have shared with her at town halls, coffee shops and hockey rinks over affordability, farming pressures and federal treatment of the province.

Smith has called a referendum for Oct. 19 asking whether Alberta should remain in Canada or move toward a second, binding vote on separation. She said years of federal policies, including Bill C-69, oil-and-gas production caps and clean-electricity regulations, had left many Albertans feeling their contributions were taken for granted, but argued the province should not walk away just as its relationship with Ottawa is improving.

She pointed to a new Alberta-Ottawa energy agreement and progress toward a West Coast pipeline under Prime Minister Mark Carney as evidence the province's advocacy is working, saying the oilsands are now seen as a "national treasure" rather than a target. She cautioned that a future federal government could reverse those gains.

Manning praised Smith for showing emotion on the issue. The Opposition NDP has criticized Smith for what it calls inflating the grievances of a small group of separatists to appease hardline elements within her United Conservative Party. Polls cited by Smith suggest the remain-in-Canada side will win the referendum, though she said the level of support for separation remains "too high for comfort."