Danielle Smith's Hermit Kingdom

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May 15, 2025

Jen Gerson, co-founder of The Line and keen observer of Alberta's political scene, dives into the tumultuous world of Danielle Smith. They dissect Smith's odd alliances with figures like Trump and her controversial proposal for a referendum on Alberta's independence. Gerson critiques the rising separatism, examining its historical roots and implications for both Alberta and Canada. The conversation raises pressing questions about political manipulation and the future of Alberta's identity amidst increasing tensions.

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INSIGHT

Danielle Smith's Leadership Traits

Danielle Smith is a highly empathetic leader who listens well but can be slippery and may tell people what they want to hear.
This unbounded empathy leads her to political blind spots, especially with separatism flirtations.

INSIGHT

Alberta Separatism: Roots and Drivers

Alberta separatism is a longstanding, mainly rural phenomenon with flare-ups linked to political or economic tensions.
A major grievance is the unfairness of federal equalization perceived as disadvantaging Alberta.

INSIGHT

Risks of Flirting with Separatism

Support for Alberta separation polls about 20-30%, but this represents frustration more than firm support.
Smith is lowering thresholds for referendums without electoral mandate, risking political chaos.

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What does Danielle Smith want?

The American threat has led to some strange bedfellows between the premiers and the feds. Leaders as different as Wab Kinew, Doug Ford and Mark Carney all seem to be on the same page. But not the Albertan premier.

She’s been the odd woman out during the past few months. She maintained friendly contacts with the Trump administration, she argued against the use of export controls on Albertan energy and she’s has been openly hostile to the new prime minister.

And then, a little over a week after the election, Smith announced that Alberta might hold a referendum on independence. Sort of. Kinda.

She’s lowering the threshold for a citizen’s referendum, which could lead to an independence referendum as early as next year. And while she continues to maintain that she’s a Canadian nationalist, she sure sounds like she’s sympathetic to the separatist cause.

So again, what exactly does Danielle Smith want? And would an independent Alberta even be a viable state?

I decided to ask Jen Gerson, the co-founder of The Line. Gerson is one of the most astute observers of Albertan politics. And as you’ll hear in our conversation, she is not a fan of the premier’s flirtations with Albertan separatism.

Featured in this episode: Jen Gerson (The Line)

To learn more

“Danielle Smith is destroying my kitchen” by Jen Gerson in The Line

“Separatists release potential Alberta referendum question, expect Danielle Smith to join cause” by Jason Markusoff in CBC News

Let the Eastern B******s Freeze in the Dark: The West Versus the Rest Since Confederation by Mary Janigan

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