Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta Premier Danielle Smith showcased her political clout among federal Conservative Party faithful on Saturday, delivering a rousing speech in Calgary that leaned heavily into core conservative priorities while steering clear of the separatist debate that has dominated headlines this week.
The premier received a warm reception and a standing ovation from delegates, underscoring both her popularity within conservative circles and the advantage of speaking on home turf.
“It is a true pleasure to welcome Conservatives from across the country to Calgary, into the heartland of conservatism in Canada,” Smith said as she took the stage.
Apart from a brief attempt at French — which she followed with a light-hearted joke — Smith’s remarks echoed familiar themes from Alberta politics. She congratulated delegates for delivering an 87.4 per cent leadership mandate to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, arguing his continued leadership is critical to undoing what she described as a decade of damage caused by Liberal governments.
Smith sharply criticized former prime minister Justin Trudeau and former environment minister Steven Guilbeault, drawing loud boos from the crowd, and accused the Liberals of undermining Alberta’s economy and encroaching on provincial jurisdiction. While she did not mention Prime Minister Mark Carney by name, she referenced comments linked to making pipelines “boring again.”
“Conservatives supported building new pipelines long before the elbows-up crowd, and they will support them long after all the elbows come down,” Smith said.
“As I’ve said many times before, we need to build pipelines to the west, to the east, to the north and to the south.”
Despite Alberta’s long-standing tensions with Ottawa, Smith pointed to a recent memorandum of understanding with the federal government — which includes cooperation on a new bitumen pipeline — as a sign that relations can improve.
However, separatist sentiments within her United Conservative Party persist. Some Alberta delegates at the convention said they remain skeptical and want concrete action rather than commitments on paper.
“We’ve had lots of words and jib-jab and back and forth, and promises or expectations get set,” said Medicine Hat delegate Daniel Hein.
“Until we have some tangible relief and opportunity to build our business here as a province, I think that frustration will remain.”
In addition to energy policy, Smith used her speech to advocate for tougher bail and sentencing laws, criticize federal firearms regulations and call for reduced immigration levels — all positions that resonated strongly with the Conservative base in attendance.
