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Alberta Legislature (Image Credit: Dreamstime)
By Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
Legislature Resumes

Alberta premier, back in house for legislature sitting, defends separation referendum

Oct 27, 2026 | 3:15 PM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservatives are back in the legislature for the first time since the separation referendum, and Smith is dismissing suggestions it was a waste.

Smith, in question period, says the vote sent a clear message and that there is always value in democratic exercises.

She was responding to Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, who asked her if she had any regrets calling the vote.

Nenshi says the referendum served only to pit Albertans against each other in a pointless, expensive waste of time.

Last week, three quarters of Alberta voters chose in a provincewide referendum to stay in Canada rather than hold a second, binding referendum on leaving Confederation.

Smith has said she had to call the vote to quell a distracting debate in Alberta, but critics say Smith was simply catering to separatists in her party to prevent them from turning against her.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2026.

by Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press