Alberta Premier Danielle Smith (Image Credit: Government of Alberta)

By The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

Alberta Premier Smith set to give TV address ahead of provincial budget

Feb 18, 2026 | 9:58 AM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will give a television address on Thursday, a week ahead of the provincial budget.

Smith announced there would be a TV address at an unrelated news conference in Calgary.

She didn’t share what would be discussed, and a spokesman for the premier’s office says details would come later.

In one of her last major public addresses, Smith promised a referendum on provincial separation if citizens gathered enough signatures on a petition.

Finance Minister Nate Horner is scheduled to deliver the budget on Feb. 26.

Smith has said Albertans should expect a tough budget with “significant” deficits, as the province grapples with low oil prices, but has ruled out tax hikes and deep service cuts.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2026.