It’s a meeting that both B.C. Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described as having the potential to be at least a tad awkward.
Premiers representing the western provinces and three territories will gather in Kananaskis for a two-day meeting starting Monday.
And the rift over a proposed pipeline to the B.C. coast, along with Alberta’s plan to hold a referendum on holding a referendum on separation, will likely be key topics of discussion.
The meeting will wrap Tuesday with a joint news conference.
Smith and Eby have found themselves at odds over recent months after the signing of the memorandum of understanding on a potential new pipeline project.
“As a country, it’s time to stop rewarding bad behaviour. It cannot be the case that the projects that get prioritized in Canada are those where a premier threatens to leave the country,” Eby said in a news release earlier this month.
Can B.C. and Ottawa come to an agreement on Alberta’s pipeline push?
During an event hosted by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Thursday, Smith said the meeting might be “a little awkward,” given recent developments with the MOU.
And she cracked a joke when asked if she thought Eby would show up to the meeting.
“I bought him a pair of boots so I think he’s going to show up at least for the boots,” Smith said.
Eby said he is “looking forward” to the meeting — and to trying on his new cowboy boots.
“I always have good give-and-take exchange with my colleagues from across Western Canada, which includes Premier Smith,” he said.
Eby said he fundamentally disagrees with Smith’s approach on separatism sentiments in the province, and said the situation adds some “awkwardness in the room.”
But said that would be something the two would need to agree to disagree on.
“I’m committed to work with people even I disagree with, and I know she is too because we’ve worked together on many things,” Eby said.
A giant Canadian flag served as the backdrop to Eby’s remarks on Thursday. He said it was not a message to Smith, but added he could potentially gift it to her at the meeting.
This is far from the first dispute between B.C. and Alberta, particularly over energy projects, said Mount Royal University political science professor Duane Bratt.
Former premiers Christy Clark and Alison Redford disagreed over Northern Gateway, while Rachel Notley and John Horgan clashed over Trans Mountain, he said.
Whether Smith and Eby find any common ground at the end of the meeting remains to be seen.
“In one-on-one conversations and in small groups, Danielle Smith can be incredibly charming. So, is she able to deal with Eby in that way, as opposed to having competing press conferences?” Bratt said.
There will be other topics to discuss as well.
Smith said Friday she might ask fellow premiers what they would think about revisiting Indigenous land rights as set out in the Constitution, in the wake of the court ruling that quashed the pro-separatist citizen petition over the government’s failure to consult with Indigenous peoples.
In an online townhall on Saturday, Smith said she also plans to discuss equalization payments, something that has been a longtime Alberta grievance with the federal government.
Plus, other western premiers, including Manitoba’s Wab Kinew and Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe will also be at the table, each with their own viewpoints and possible sticking points to address.
“The western provinces are not a monolith. And it’s not just a rift between B.C. and Alberta. There are really differences amongst all of them, which is why they meet on a regular basis,” said Bratt.
