Smith shrugs off UCP backbencher's MOU criticism

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is brushing off public criticism of her provincial-federal deal from a member of her own caucus as the province gears up for an October referendum on separation.

UCP MLA Jason Stephan said in a social media post that the memorandum of understanding between Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney is "not good enough for Alberta," suggesting it's a cynical ploy to pacify Albertans rather than address real grievances. "Some in Ottawa act as if they are doing Alberta a favour by the MOU. Does that mean Alberta should now be quiet and to be a good colony?" Stephan wrote.

Smith has long promoted the MOU as proof that Canada can work for Alberta and that cooperation remains possible—a counterweight to separatist sentiment ahead of the October 19 vote on whether to hold a binding referendum on leaving Confederation.

Sam Blackett, the premier's spokesperson, said individual MLAs are welcome to hold different views. "Through the Alberta-Ottawa MOU, we have successfully repealed and amended the majority of the nine bad laws that were hindering Alberta's economy, clearing the way for Alberta to build new pipelines and export our energy resources on an unprecedented scale," Blackett said. "We will continue to work with Ottawa where we can, and we will push back where we must."

The deal was signed last fall when Carney agreed to fast-track a pipeline project in exchange for the province's progress on a carbon capture network by major oil producers. Stephan, who resigned as Smith's constitutional affairs adviser in May, questioned in his letter whether Ottawa would have made the MOU absent the referendum threat.

Smith is expected to announce her government's proposal for a million-barrel-a-day bitumen pipeline to the West Coast later this week. She has said she supports Alberta remaining in Canada but welcomes diverse opinions within her caucus.