Smith defends separation referendum as legislature resumes
Three-quarters of Alberta voters rejected holding a binding referendum on leaving Canada last week, and the premier faced pointed questions about the vote's cost and purpose on her return to the house.
Why it matters
The referendum and its aftermath shape the political debate over Alberta's place in Confederation and how provincial resources were spent on the vote.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservatives returned to the legislature this week for the first time since last week's separation referendum, and Smith rejected suggestions the exercise was a waste of time and money.
During question period, Smith told the house the referendum sent a clear message and argued there is always value in democratic exercises. She was responding to NDP Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi, who asked whether she had any regrets about calling the vote.
Nenshi said the referendum only pitted Albertans against one another and amounted to a pointless, expensive exercise. In the provincewide vote last week, three-quarters of Alberta voters chose to remain in Canada rather than proceed to a second, binding referendum on leaving Confederation.
Smith has said she called the vote to settle a distracting debate within the province, but critics contend she was instead responding to pressure from separatist elements within her own party to avoid an internal revolt.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.