‘Deeply frustrated’: Danielle Smith warns Mark Carney that the status quo can’t hold

Premier Danielle Smith discusses Bill 53, the Compassionate Intervention Act, during a press conference, in Edmonton Tuesday April 15, 2025.

OTTAWA — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s disappointed but ready to negotiate after the

Mark Carney-led Liberals

were returned to power in Monday’s federal election.

“A large majority of Albertans are deeply frustrated that the same government that overtly attacked our provincial economy almost unabated for the past 10 years has been returned to government,”

Smith wrote on Tuesday morning

, breaking her silence on the election’s outcome.

Smith said the same old, same old wasn’t an option, with

tensions between Alberta and Ottawa

coming to a head.

“As Premier, I will not permit the status quo to continue. Albertans are proud Canadians that want this nation to be strong, prosperous, and united, but we will no longer tolerate having our industries threatened and our resources landlocked by Ottawa.”

Smith said she hoped Carney would act in the best interest of national unity.

“As Premier, I invite the Prime Minister to immediately commence working with our government to reset the relationship between Ottawa and Alberta with meaningful action rather than hollow rhetoric,” she wrote.

Smith’s relationship with Carney’s predecessor Justin Trudeau was plagued by acrimony, with the

two leaders regularly trading shots

in the public domain.

Her relationship with Carney isn’t off to a much better start. Smith and Carney

had a frosty meeting

in Edmonton just before the election call, and have had

harsh words for one another

on the campaign trail.

Heading into the election,

Smith endorsed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre

to be the next prime minister of Canada.

Smith alluded to a previously announced panel on Alberta’s

future in the confederation

in her Tuesday statement.

“In the weeks and months ahead, Albertans will have an opportunity to discuss our province’s future, assess various options for strengthening and protecting our province against future hostile acts from Ottawa, and to ultimately choose a path forward,” wrote Smith

“As Premier, I will facilitate and lead this discussion and process with the sincere hope of securing a prosperous future for our province within a united Canada(.)”

Smith said she will be meeting with her caucus on Friday to discuss the election result and steps forward.

She’s scheduled to speak live on The Ben Mulroney Show later in the day.

More to come.

National  Post
rmohamed@postmedia.com

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