Alberta Premier Calls Out Mark Carney for Misunderstanding Strong Conservative Women

In a recent press conference, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith didn't hold back in her response to remarks made by Liberal Leader Mark Carney, who seemed to use her as fodder for political humor while campaigning in Victoria. Smith accused Carney of having a problem with assertive women who hold conservative views.

"I’ve noticed this trend among progressive men. They profess to champion women until they face a strong conservative woman," Smith stated defiantly in Edmonton. “This behavior isn’t just from Carney; it's a pattern I've seen with other leaders, including our current and former Prime Ministers. The underlying message is always the same: ‘sit down and be quiet.’ Well, I refuse to fall silent. I will continue to speak up for Albertans and advocate for their interests – whether he likes it or not.”

This clash marks the latest friction in a relationship that has been rocky since Carney took office as Prime Minister last month. During his campaign stop, Carney quipped about sending Conservative leaders like Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Fox News, jokingly suggesting, “Maybe we won’t send Danielle. No, we’re keeping her here – a bad idea.” His comments quickly drew criticism, and many have interpreted them as dismissive of Smith's capabilities.

This isn’t the first time Smith has suggested that her critics’ motivations may be rooted in sexism. Earlier this year, she contended that the criticism surrounding her initiatives to reduce U.S. tariffs was similarly biased. "They expect me to just sit down and shut up. Not happening," she told Alberta's lawmakers.

As the election campaign reaches an important juncture, Smith's words resonate amid growing tensions between provincial needs and federal policies. Carney's Liberal party has already begun using Smith's comments in ads, which spotlight her assertions that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre aligns closely with the former U.S. administration under Donald Trump. Smith, however, clarified that she doesn't draw a direct correlation between Poilievre and Trump, stating, “My focus remains on provincial policy while they can battle it out among themselves.”

Things took an icy turn following their initial meeting, where no photo opportunity was taken, marking the beginning of a strained relationship. Soon after, Smith laid out a series of demands she wants the federal government to address, warning of a potential national unity crisis should her expectations not be met.

Beyond personal disputes, Alberta's discontent with the federal government's environmental policies, such as the proposed cap on oil and gas emissions, has been palpable. Although Carney expressed hesitance regarding the cap during his visit to Alberta, he has confirmed that it will remain in place, furthering frustration among the province’s leaders and citizens.

Polling data indicates a notable trend of dissatisfaction in Alberta towards the federal governance, with former Reform Party leader Preston Manning recently writing that a Carney administration could support an emerging sentiment in favor of western secession. Smith acknowledged the growing frustrations among Albertans regarding the decade of Liberal rule and has committed to convening a “What’s Next” panel if her pre-election demands are unmet six months post-election.

While Smith asserts she does not advocate for separation, she has highlighted that there exists a citizen-driven process for pursuing referendums—potentially indicating that Alberta’s discontent could manifest in more substantial political movements in the near future. The ongoing political drama affirms Alberta's critical stance towards federal policies, especially as the next election approaches.