Premier Danielle Smith is expected to take media questions at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, following a televised address in which she promised not to hold another separation referendum while she is premier. The appearance will give reporters their first opportunity to question Smith since Albertans voted decisively on Monday to remain in Canada rather than begin the legal process toward a future binding referendum on separation. In her Tuesday evening address, Smith said the result gave her government a clear mandate to work toward Alberta’s future within Confederation. “And I want to make it clear tonight that for as long as I am premier, I will honour this mandate from Albertans and will not be holding another referendum on this issue,” she said. Smith called on Albertans to move forward together, while pledging to continue pushing for greater provincial autonomy. “We will use every legal and political tool at our disposal to protect and advance the interests of Albertans. And when Ottawa interferes with those rights, we will be unrelenting in our response.” She said future disputes would be settled through Canada’s political and legal institutions, rather than by pursuing separation. Smith pointed to improved relations with Ottawa and federal support for Alberta’s energy industry as reasons to be optimistic about the province’s place in Canada. She also addressed the hundreds of thousands of voters who supported beginning the process toward a separation referendum, acknowledging their frustrations and asking them to “believe and hope in Canada again.” Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, who has criticized the referendum as a distraction, said Smith now faces a choice between continuing divisive political fights and changing course to govern for all Albertans. Polling conducted by Abacus Data before the referendum suggests affordability and health care are higher priorities for Albertans than changing the province’s relationship with Ottawa. Asked what the provincial government should prioritize next year, 43 per cent chose affordability and 38 per cent chose health care. Getting a better deal within Canada was selected by 10 per cent, while six per cent chose moving toward independence. ‘Yes’ leads on eight of nine other referendum questions With 92 per cent of polls reporting, unofficial results show “yes” leading on eight of the nine questions. Question 8 is the only one where “no” is ahead. Those results are closer than the outcome on the separate question about Alberta’s future in Canada. Smith said Tuesday the early results pointed to support for greater provincial control over immigration and requiring temporary residents to pay a portion of the cost of public services used by them and their families. At the time of her address, she said she was still awaiting confirmation of results on other proposals, including greater provincial involvement in selecting judges and abolishing the Senate. Smith said her government would pursue reforms approved by voters over the coming months and years. This is a developing story. More details to come... With files from Timm Bruch
