Premier Smith Gains Support in Fort McMurray Town Hall
In Fort McMurray this week, Premier Danielle Smith found herself in front of a crowd that was more supportive than confrontational—a noticeable shift from some of the earlier stops on her Alberta Next panel tour. Around 250 people gathered to hear about potential referendum questions and proposals the panel is putting forward. Unlike past events in Edmonton or Red Deer, there were no protest signs outside the venue, and the tone inside leaned more toward approval than outrage.
Smith used the evening to reinforce her message that the province’s biggest challenges are not of its own making, but rather the result of Ottawa’s policies. She told the audience that Alberta is being over-taxed, and she insisted that federal restrictions are preventing the province from generating the kind of wealth it could otherwise produce through oil and gas. This framing drew applause, with many in the crowd agreeing that Alberta needs more control over its own future.
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The panel’s six proposals were on display, including ideas like pulling Alberta out of the Canada Pension Plan and replacing the RCMP with a provincial police force. Some attendees went so far as to suggest Smith should be running the country, while others praised her as the best premier in Alberta’s history. Still, the evening wasn’t free from criticism. Concerns were raised about large classroom sizes, the shortage of local hospital surgical beds, and a controversial vaccine policy that will force most Albertans to pay out of pocket.
At times, frustrations from the floor threatened to derail the conversation. A woman challenged Smith’s claims about education funding, while others questioned whether the public actually supports withdrawing from the CPP. Smith countered by saying online surveys can be skewed and that true public opinion can only be determined through a referendum. That remark earned her another round of applause, as she stressed that it is the people—not polls—that must decide.
The topic of separation from Canada surfaced more than once, with some arguing it was the only way Alberta could fully escape federal constraints. Moderator Bruce McAllister stepped in at one point to remind participants to stick to the evening’s agenda—issues tied directly to federal-provincial relations. Microphones, he warned, could be cut if the debate strayed too far off course.
Despite moments of tension, the overall energy in the room leaned in Smith’s favor. Supporters were eager to show their alignment with the proposals, often through straw polls conducted at these events. The panel will continue gathering feedback, with its next stop scheduled in Lloydminster. For Smith, the reception in Fort McMurray signaled momentum—proof that her message about standing up to Ottawa resonates with many Albertans who feel frustrated, unheard, and ready for change.
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