+34
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi escalate attacks ahead of the October 19 referendum, with pipeline politics and separatism at the forefront.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party and Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi escalated their political attacks this week as the province entered the final stretch of its referendum campaign. The referendum, set for October 19, asks Albertans whether to remain in Canada or work toward a binding secession vote. The escalating tension comes as both leaders prepare for the October 2027 provincial election.
Pipeline Designation and Political Fallout
On Thursday, Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney met their shared deadline to designate a proposed pipeline to the West Coast as a project of national interest. Smith heralded the pipeline as proof of Alberta's renewed relationship with Ottawa, less than three weeks before the referendum. However, the announcement was overshadowed by news that one of Smith's caucus members, Jason Stephan, had voted by mail in favour of a second, binding referendum on separation.
Stephan described his choice as one that puts Ottawa on notice, while voting to remain in Canada affirms the status quo, a nation in decline, dragging Alberta down with it. Smith, who says she will vote to remain in Canada, said she welcomes a variety of opinions in her party. Stephan remains a member of caucus and did not respond to a request for comment.
Nenshi Responds to Federal NDP Tensions
Meanwhile, Naheed Nenshi faced pressure to respond to federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis's strong opposition to the proposed pipeline. Lewis criticized the plan as a pipeline to the courts and another gift to the oil industry. Nenshi applauded the news, saying he looks forward to actually getting it built in conjunction with the strongest environmental safeguards in the world.
Smith latched on to Lewis's comments, calling on Nenshi to break with the federal NDP, right down to the name of their party. Asked about Smith's call to change the party name, Nenshi replied that if she is giving him advice on his party, he will give her some on hers: kick out the separatists.
Lewis's stand against oil-and-gas development has appeared to widen the chasm between the national party and its provincial counterparts. Nenshi and Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck both denounced his plans for the sector when he was elected party leader in March. Nenshi said the provincial party has cut that tie with the federal NDP and that Lewis can say what he likes, referring to the provincial party's decision in 2025 to make federal party membership optional. Nenshi had previously appealed to Lewis and other contenders running for federal party leadership to not damage his 2027 election campaign.
On Friday, Nenshi dismissed Smith's efforts to link him to the federal party leader, stating that they would like nothing more than to tie him to Avi Lewis, but it has been completely unsuccessful so far and will continue to be completely unsuccessful.
Separatism and By-Election Fallout
Smith has lagged in polls and continues to deal with the fallout of a by-election loss in Calgary's conservative heartland. Inside her party, she is managing an uprising of separatist sentiment and pockets of discontent among UCP membership over her federalist stand. Nenshi, on the other hand, has been buoyed by the NDP's surprise by-election win.
Anne McGrath, principal secretary to former Alberta NDP premier Rachel Notley, said in an interview that tension between the federal and Alberta NDP over pipeline development is an enduring feature of New Democratic politics. McGrath, also a former campaign director for the federal NDP, said she believes the public understands the differences between the national and provincial parties. She said that they understand that tension and live in that tension, but they are not going to spend a lot of time raising hell about it.
Danielle Smith Naheed Nenshi Alberta Referendum Avi Lewis Pipeline United Conservative Party Alberta NDP
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
In the face of a new neutrality law, Alberta educators grapple with referendum lessonsIn Brett Dibble’s Grade 12-level social studies classes, lessons about Alberta’s 10 fall referendum questions are among the first issues students dived into this school year.
Read more »
Alberta Referendum Question 3 Targets Immigrant Social ServicesAlberta's referendum Question 3 asks if non-permanent residents should wait 12 months for provincially funded social support programs. Albertans vote on Oct. 19.
Read more »
Alberta Pipeline Progress Fails to Sway Separatists Ahead of October 19 ReferendumAlberta's new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast advances, but separatist leaders say it does not change their push to leave Canada before the October 19 referendum.
Read more »
Alberta Referendum 2025: Students Debate Immigration and Separation Ahead of Oct. 19 VoteAhead of Alberta's Oct. 19 referendum, University of Alberta students share views on immigration and separation, with a CBC Edmonton panel discussion set for Oct. 2.
Read more »