Alberta premier to meet Quebec counterpart on energy, separatism

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is heading to Quebec City this week to meet with Premier Christine Fréchette, with two provocative topics on the table: an east-west energy corridor and the separatist movements flaring in both provinces.

Smith has made energy independence a signature file. She says every meeting with Quebec leadership includes pitching a self-sufficient energy sector that spans provinces. This time, she's hoping Fréchette will reopen the conversation on a corridor that could move Alberta power eastward.

"I think that we can have a strong partnership between Quebec and Alberta, not only on how we repair the country so it gets back to the way it was initially intended to run, but also on an energy corridor," Smith said Monday from Calgary.

But energy isn't the only draw. Both provinces are grappling with separatist sentiment. While Smith and Fréchette both say they wish to remain in Canada, Smith suggested both leaders share "interests in deepening their independence" — a framing that hints at provincial autonomy agendas even as they publicly reject separation.

The subtext is layered: two major provinces, both with independence-minded movements, are quietly exploring shared interests in breaking free from federal oversight while publicly maintaining unity rhetoric. The energy corridor pitch offers cover for deeper conversations about what each province wants from Confederation.