Alberta's Smith seeking clearance for interference briefings, Nenshi questions intent

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Official Opposition and NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi. (Todd Korol, Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is seeking security clearance to receive briefings on foreign interference in her province, but the leader of the Opposition says she shouldn’t be trusted with it.

The premier told the legislative assembly this week that she has started the process to get a higher security clearance so she can receive briefings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, or CSIS.

“I would like to know if there is any foreign interference happening in our province,” Smith said during question period Wednesday.

But NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said the premier’s relationship with the Saudi government, and what he called her lack of concern about the ongoing separation campaign in Alberta, should disqualify her from obtaining the clearance.

“I sure as hell wouldn’t give her security clearance,” Nenshi told reporters Thursday.

“She’s not taking it seriously, perhaps because she’s inviting this foreign interference because, as we know, she sees nothing wrong with taking gifts from foreign actors and foreign governments.”

Smith this week confirmed she and members of her staff accepted accommodations and travelled on a private plane provided by the Saudi government during a visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates last fall.

The trip was for Smith to discuss potential collaborations on energy development and artificial intelligence. Smith has said the private plane was needed as the group travelled to a military base, an oilfield and a refinery, all of which were difficult to access via commercial air traffic.

Accepting the accommodations was a matter of social protocol, Smith has said, adding that she had developed a bond with the Saudi energy minister after the pair met in Calgary a couple of years ago.

She has said both the private plane and accommodations were approved in advance by the ethics commissioner and that it’s in line with measures Alberta takes when foreign dignitaries come to tour the province’s oilsands.

Smith’s desire for security clearance was revealed when Nenshi asked Wednesday about the Alberta Sheriffs, which Smith’s government is turning into a full-fledged police force capable of taking over local policing duties from the RCMP should municipalities want to make the switch.

Smith said earlier this week that just like any other police force, the sheriffs will have an intelligence unit and she criticized the RCMP for not being more forthcoming on potential interference or security issues when it comes to Alberta’s upcoming referendum in the fall. The referendum could include a vote on separation, if the petition looking to force it reaches the nearly 178,000 signatures required.

“The RCMP does not brief our government, I made that clear and no I’m not happy with that fact, which is why we have to go to alternative sources to be able to get intelligence,” Smith said Wednesday.

“We have some deficiencies, and we’re going to do everything we can to fill them.”

Sam Blackett, the premier’s press secretary, said in a statement Thursday that the NDP was “fearmongering.”

“It is unbecoming for the Opposition leader to make such flippant and insulting comments towards an important trading partner for Alberta and for Canada,” Blackett said.

“The Opposition leader is so desperate to score political points that he’s willing to jeopardize Alberta’s and Canada’s international relationships. That’s shameful.”

Asked for further information about Smith’s request to CSIS, Blackett referred to her comments in question period.

CSIS director Daniel Rogers said last year the agency was bracing for foreign meddling when it comes to the potential Alberta separation vote.

Rogers noted in a November speech that foreign actors have a great interest in both national and lower-level governments, “whose data, technological innovations, influence and access to resources can shift the balance of advantage.”

Alberta’s emergency services minister, Mike Ellis, as well as the justice minister, told reporters Thursday that they weren’t applying for security clearance with CSIS.

But Ellis said that as part of the approval process for Smith, it was his understanding a “secure area” needed to be built within the legislature to allow for Smith to receive briefings.

“It’s not as simple as people think,” Ellis said. “It’s not a phone call.”

He said foreign interference is taken very seriously in Alberta and that if any was occurring, he hoped the appropriate law enforcement action would be taken, regardless of agency.

CSIS did not immediately respond to questions about Smith’s request.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2026.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press