Finally. In a televised address Thursday night, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made an emotional, impassioned plea for Canada, and outlined how Alberta can achieve its goals without separating. It was optimistic, yet grounded in reality. It was emotional, but not maudlin, critical of Ottawa, but not rage filled. It is exactly what Albertans needed to hear from the premier. It might be something of a contradiction that Smith delivered a triumphantly pro-Canada speech, while also announcing plans to have a referendum related to separation, but it says something that the premier spoke more highly of Canada than any number of politicians whose patriotism is not in question.
Smith started by outlining what makes Canada unique. She distinguished this country from the U.S., but not in the way an Ontario Liberal might. Whereas our neighbours to the south 'centralizes the majority of power and decision-making in its federal government,' she said, Canada 'chose a decentralized federation composed of very unique and diverse provinces left to govern themselves in almost all matters.'
Someone nitpicking might point out that the separation of federal and provincial/state powers in Canada and the U.S. was originally the opposite of what it is now. But Smith isn't wrong that how power is divided between levels of government is the central tension in Canada. Smith clearly, and justifiably, objects to Ottawa seeking to further centralize power. 'I truly believe our country is so much stronger and more prosperous when we respect the rights of provinces,' she said.
It is a state of affairs that Alberta, under Smith, has consistently resisted. 'We have been relentless in making our voices heard,' she said, pointing to dozens of legal challenges, advertising campaigns, the forming of alliances with other provinces and persistently lobbying Ottawa.
Smith declared herself 'fiercely loyal to both Alberta and Canada,' and explained how the federal government has now relaxed its opposition to Alberta's energy sector. 'The days of Ottawa dictating and interfering in provincial affairs must come to an end,' she said.
It is thanks to the efforts made by Alberta, Smith argued, that the federal Liberals have scrapped plans to bring in an emissions cap and clean electricity regulations, and why a new pipeline to the West Coast 'will be on track to have its permitting completed by September of next year.'
'This complete turning of Canadian government policy and national public opinion was unthinkable just a few short years ago,' she said. And the reason why there has been a change? 'We turned the tide. We are winning hearts and minds to our cause right across the country.'
While I have my doubts about the viability of the memorandum of understanding signed between Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney, the fact the federal government has even been willing to discuss shelving some of its more obnoxious environmental policies is a testament to the premier's skill at winning people over.
