Premier Danielle Smith and her Manitoba counterpart Wab Kinew got into a verbal spat over separation and Treaty rights at the conclusion of the Western Premiers’ Conference in Kananaskis, Alta.
Smith, who called a referendum on Alberta’s future in Canada for Oct. 19, has mused that Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution, which affirms the rights of Indigenous people, requires a second look.
Earlier this month, an Alberta judge quashed a potential separation question from separatist group Stay Free Alberta. The judge ruled that Alberta didn’t properly execute its duty to consult with First Nations.
Alberta intends to appeal the decision.
“We want to make sure that we have a very clear understanding of what the duty to consult really means and what it doesn’t mean,” Smith told the news conference. “And I think at the moment there’s a lack of clarity on that.”
Her statement prompted a swift reaction from Kinew, who met with Alberta First Nations on Monday.
“I think we know that is not correct, a lot of what you just said there, Premier Smith,” Kinew said.
“It is not up to the petition gatherers to fulfil the duty to consult. It is up to you, as the Alberta government, to fulfil the duty to consult.”
Kinew said he agreed with the May 13 ruling from Justice Shaina Leonard.
He said First Nations should be thanked for “hitting the pause button” on the issue. The application to Leonard was brought by four First Nations in Alberta: the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Blood Tribe, Piikani Nation and Siksika First Nation.
Kinew urged Smith and other political leaders to delay discussions about a referendum for at least a year to see if Canada can get pipelines built.
“Now the rest of Canada, let’s work together and show Alberta just how appreciated they are in the rest of this country.”
On Monday, B.C. Premier David Eby called out Smith for calling a referendum on Alberta’s future in Canada at a time where the country needs to stand together against the United States.
More to come
