NDP's Nenshi urges Smith fire her senior aide over diatribe against First Nations

Leader of the Alberta NDP Naheed Nenshi speaks as First Nations chiefs, band councillors and elders gather to call on Premier Danielle Smith's government to stomp out the push for the province to leave Canada, at the Alberta legislature in Edmonton on Monday March 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Alberta’s Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says Premier Danielle Smith should fire her office’s executive director after he posted a social media diatribe criticizing First Nations chiefs.

The senior aide, Bruce McAllister, said in his Thursday post that instead of accusing Smith of treason over her fall separation referendum, First Nations chiefs should fix their own communities.

He describes them as entrenched in poverty, drugs and violence.

Nenshi, speaking in Calgary Friday, said McAllister’s commentary echoes bullying behaviour from Smith and a pattern of disrespect from her United Conservatives.

He said when challenged, Smith lashes out at her opponents.

Nenshi said if the premier wants to send a message that she respects Albertans, she should start by firing McAllister.

“These are dog whistles,” says Nenshi. He described McAllister as Smith’s “number two guy” with a history of showing contempt for those who disagree with him.

“(McAllister’s) entire world is about making and keeping people angry.”

Nenshi questioned how Smith will succeed in her goal to build a bitumen pipeline to the West Coast when she has lost the confidence of chiefs across the province.

Smith’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

The post comes after the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs, representing First Nations across Alberta, voted to ask the RCMP to look into whether the Oct. 19 referendum amounts to criminal treason by Smith and her UCP.

Albertans will be asked whether they want to remain in Canada, or hold a second, binding vote on leaving Confederation.

According to the Criminal Code, treason is narrowly defined. It includes sharing sensitive information “for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or defence of Canada” with another state, or the use of force or violence in order to overthrow a Canadian government.

The chiefs, earlier this week, said organizing the vote is an intentional treaty violation and that Smith’s government is ignoring serious risks to Canada’s sovereignty.

Smith responded to that Wednesday, telling reporters the chiefs should “check themselves” for such an inflammatory accusation.

“This kind of overwrought language has no place in a democracy,” she said.

McAllister’s Thursday post accused the chiefs of engaging in “childish nonsense” and said their misaligned priorities made him wonder if they’re taking orders from someone else.

He also acknowledged he was courting controversy.

“I’ll probably take heat for saying these things but if we don’t, we continue to bury our heads in the sand and pretend they aren’t happening,” he wrote.

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