Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith attempted to grit their teeth and project unity at the conclusion of the Western Premier's Conference on Tuesday, after two weeks of sniping back and forth over Alberta separatism and the potential for a new pipeline to B.C.'s Coast.
Even as both premiers called their relationship "awkward," there were attempts at conciliation over the past two days. Smith gave Eby a pair of cowboy boots, while Eby presented his fellow premiers with World Cup 2026 jerseys.
Cracks in the unity began to appear the longer Tuesday's concluding press conference went on, however, with Eby saying how anxious Alberta's non-binding separation referendum in October makes him, drawing comparisons to the U.K.'s vote in 2016 narrowly approving leaving the European Union.
He also again voiced his opposition to Smith's proposed northern route for a new oil pipeline, saying it would put LNG and critical mineral projects that have First Nations support at risk.
"British Columbians sent me here with a clear mission, which is to work with the other premiers and get things done for the country. They are not asking me to fight with other premiers, they're not asking me to delay things, they're just saying make sure that our interests are represented around creating jobs, creating opportunities," said Eby.
"I disagree profoundly with Premier Smith's referendum. I think it is a huge mistake, and Premier Smith disagrees with me profoundly about issues related to a pipeline of the North Coast and North Coast tanker ban. That's OK, we can disagree with each other, and she can still give me a real nice pair of boots."
Smith said she hopes the two provinces can work together despite their disagreements.
"I know that British Columbians have concerns that need to be addressed. We've been working through and trying to understand what those are and how we might be able to address them, and I hope that we're able to find a way to come to some common ground," she said.
The conference — this year in Kananaskis, Alberta — usually serves as a forum for the premiers of Canada's four western provinces and its three territories to collaborate on shared goals and provide Ottawa with a laundry list of desires. These usually include things like infrastructure investment, boosting Arctic security and increased health-care transfers.
Disputes between B.C. and Alberta over energy and pipelines is hardly new at these meetings. B.C. premier Christy Clark and Alberta premier Alison Redford had some contentious discussions over the Northern Gateway proposal, while two NDP premiers, John Horgan of B.C. and Rachel Notley of Alberta, disagreed strongly over the Trans-Mountain Pipeline.
Smith said that those disagreements have helped contribute to Alberta separatism and that she hopes Prime Minister Mark Carney can play the mediator between the two provinces.
