Listen "Danielle Smith walks a fine line between staying and splitting"
Episode Synopsis
Is Alberta inching closer to the exit door? Premier Danielle Smith insists she’s a federalist — but her government’s latest moves are making it easier for citizens to trigger a referendum on independence. With fresh polling from the Angus Reid Institute showing a majority of UCP voters in favour of holding a secession vote, the big question is: is this a tactical play to reset Alberta’s relationship with Ottawa, or a strategy to keep her party’s restless base onside?This week, West of Centre host Kathleen Petty unpacks Smith’s political high-wire act: is she turning up the heat, or genuinely trying to cool things down? We also dive into growing speculation that the premier is laying the groundwork for an early provincial election.Joining the conversation: former UCP executive director Brad Tennant, former Alberta NDP cabinet minister Shannon Phillips, and editorial writer Doug Firby. Plus, a look ahead to key byelections and whether Mark Carney’s new Liberal government might try to smooth things over with Alberta by handing one (or both) of its newly elected Liberal MPs a cabinet post.
More episodes of the podcast West of Centre
Is 'pragmatism' good climate policy?
26/09/2025
Licence to divide
19/09/2025
Short: Party politics hits city hall
16/09/2025
No pipeline, no problem... For now
12/09/2025
West of Centre goes on summer break
04/08/2025
Buckle up, Alberta! 2025 ain't over yet
31/07/2025
Less fire and more finesse
25/07/2025
Short: The problem with GDP per capita
21/07/2025