Alberta Aide Urges Separation Referendum

0:00It's March 27. You're listening to Canada News today, AI-powered local news. A top-aid to Alberta Premier Daniel Smith is urging residents to sign a petition calling for a referendum on separating from Canada. Jason Steffen, the United Conservative Party lawmaker, serving as parliamentary secretary for constitutional affairs, made the push in a recent opinion. Peace. He draws a clear line between supporting the petition, which would trigger a vote, and actually voting to leave the country. Smith and several cabinet ministers have stressed their commitment to a strong Alberta, staying within a United Canada. At the same time, they champion direct democracy, letting people have their say on big issues. Steffen points out that despite Smith's recent progress with Ottawa, including a deal with Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals to ease environmental, rules and advance a West Coast pipeline, the federal government's tough stance on Alberta persists. These calls reflect deep frustrations over resource policies and federal oversight, keeping

1:02separation talk alive in the province.