Premier Smith attends closed-door True North event with Tamara Lich before referendum
Smith said she attended to convince separation voters to support remaining in Canada. Critics question her commitment to a federalist campaign.
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Premier Danielle Smith attended a closed-door True North event in northeast Calgary on Saturday, saying she aimed to convince voters favouring a binding separation referendum to support remaining in Canada.
"The only way to convince people to vote for Option 1 is to talk to people who are voting for Option 2," Smith told a Postmedia reporter as she entered the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza & Conference Centre.
The event was promoted by True North, a right-wing media organization, as "the most important free speech event of the year." Tickets were advertised at $99 and sales closed before the Saturday event. Media outlets were denied access and unable to hear Smith's remarks. Speakers included Tamara Lich, a prominent organizer of the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest that brought downtown Ottawa to a standstill for several weeks. Lich was convicted of mischief for her role in the protest and sentenced to a 15½-month conditional sentence—12 months house arrest and 3½ months strict curfew—after credit for time served.
Alberta's referendum is scheduled for October 19, nine days after Saturday's event. Voters will decide on 10 questions, including whether the province should remain in Canada or begin a process toward a binding separation referendum.
Critics questioned Smith's stated motives. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said Smith "has not lifted a finger to unify our province or our country. Instead, she chose to spend her summer and fall vacationing in the U.S., and hanging out with far-right extremists and fellow separatists. Albertans are right to judge Danielle Smith by the company she keeps."
Thomas Lukaszuk, leader of Forever Canadian, expressed skepticism about Smith's message, suggesting the event audience was likely full of devout separatists. "Better late than never, but I am not entirely sure what message the premier plans to deliver," Lukaszuk said. Lukaszuk travelled across Alberta for 17½ months in a campaign bus speaking with Albertans on both sides of the separation debate and argued that Smith has been absent from such efforts. "I've been looking in the rearview mirror of this bus, hoping that I would see the premier campaigning for Canada," Lukaszuk said.
What specifically did Smith say to the True North audience?
Has Smith held similar closed-door meetings with federalist groups?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When is Alberta's referendum scheduled?
Alberta's referendum is scheduled for October 19, 2026. Voters will decide on 10 questions, including whether the province should remain in Canada or begin a process toward a binding separation referendum.
Who spoke at the True North event Premier Smith attended?
Tamara Lich, a prominent organizer of the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest, was among the speakers at the closed-door event held at the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza & Conference Centre on October 10, 2026.
What was Tamara Lich convicted of and what sentence did she receive?
Tamara Lich was convicted of mischief for her role in the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest and sentenced to a 15½-month conditional sentence consisting of 12 months house arrest and 3½ months strict curfew, with credit for time served.
