Poilievre makes case for staying in Canada, not separating

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is heading to Calgary Monday to make the case that Alberta's path forward lies in demanding federal policy changes, not separation. In a keynote address, Poilievre will argue that locking arms with other provinces to pressure Ottawa is "the practical, realistic path to a stronger Alberta within a united Canada."

"You will find that Albertans do not have a problem with fellow Canadians or even with Canada. They have a problem with the federal government," according to an excerpt of his speech provided to CBC News.

Poilievre plans to point to concerns Albertans have repeatedly raised: unblocking resources and pipelines, respecting firearms owners, locking up criminals, relieving taxpayers, respecting provincial autonomy and unlocking free enterprise. He'll frame these as demands shared across provinces — pointing to allies in Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Quebec.

"We do not need a different country, Alberta. We need different government policies in Ottawa," Poilievre is expected to say.

The speech comes as Alberta prepares for a fall referendum on whether the province should hold a binding vote on separation. Premier Danielle Smith has said she'll campaign for Albertans to vote no, despite setting the referendum in motion. Smith has repeatedly stated she believes "Canada can work" and has been fighting for federal-provincial agreements on issues like healthcare funding and resource development.

Poilievre's visit signals the federal Conservatives' plan to campaign hard on Canadian unity in Alberta through the fall.