Alberta's Smith says law will be enforced if separation vote spurs civil disobedience

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at a closing news conference of a meeting of western premiers in Kananaskis, Alta., Tuesday, May 26, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the law will be enforced if First Nations communities engage in civil disobedience over her government’s separation referendum.

But at an unrelated news conference today, the premier says she hopes it doesn’t come to that.

On Oct. 19, Albertans will vote on whether they want to stay in Canada or start the process to hold a second, binding referendum on quitting the country.

• RELATED STORY: First Nations demand Alberta premier terminate separation referendum

First Nations leaders across the province have been pushing back against talk of secession, and Smith’s decision to put it on a ballot.

Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, representing First Nations across the West, has said if necessary, they may get in the way of industry or take the fight against Smith’s separation vote to highways.

Smith points to the province’s critical infrastructure defence law, which aimed to clamp down on protests by imposing extra penalties for obstructing essential infrastructure like railways, highways or pipelines.

READ MORE:

• Conservative MP says First Nations votes will be critical in Alberta referendum
• Alberta separation petition overturned as judge rules in favour of First Nations

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2026.