Alberta’s Danielle Smith back in headlines over separatism talks and referendum plans as premier; former columnist and UCP leader, born Calgary 1971.
Alberta separatists have submitted petitions for a referendum while a data breach has exposed personal details of roughly 3 million voters. Investigations by Elections Alberta, the RCMP, and privacy officials are underway as questions mount about foreign interference and campaign data use.
The United States has paused its participation in the Permanent Joint Board on Defense with Canada to reassess the benefit of the forum for shared North American defense, with officials citing Canada’s alleged failure to make credible defense commitments.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced an Oct. 19 vote on whether Alberta should stay in Canada or pursue a binding referendum on separation, while stressing she supports remaining in Canada. The move follows a court ruling on a citizen-initiated referendum and a caucus push for a vote, with federal discussions on an oil pipeline to the Pacific coast continuing in parallel.