Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Tuesday said Albertans are “deeply frustrated” the Liberal Party has again formed Canada’s government. The comment was made in a statement in which she congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney on his victory and called on him to reset Ottawa’s relationship with her province. “I congratulate Prime Minister Mark Carney on his minority government election victory last night,” she said before moving on to thank Pierre Poilievre for his work against policies she says have weakened Canada. She then invited Carney to work with the Alberta government to repair their relationship “with meaningful action rather than hollow rhetoric.” “A large majority of Albertans are deeply frustrated that the same government that overtly attacked our provincial economy almost unabated for the past 10 years has been returned to government,” Smith wrote. Conservative candidates were elected in all but three of Alberta’s 37 electoral districts, representing 64 per cent of votes cast, according to Elections Canada results Tuesday morning. Smith promised the province would “no longer tolerate having our industries threatened and our resources landlocked by Ottawa.” Her caucus is scheduled to discuss the federal election results on Friday. Of Poilievre, Smith said, “While Liberals and New Democrats demeaned and demonized Albertans, our values and our industries for political gain, Mr. Poilievre made empowering Albertans and our energy sector a cornerstone of his campaign. His respect and admiration for Albertans could not have been clearer. “He is and continues to be a true friend of Alberta.” Naheed Nenshi, leader of the Alberta NDP, also congratulated Carney but said in a statement the “existential threat” facing Canada means it is time to “set aside the divisive battles” between the provincial and federal governments. “We need a federal government that understands the economic and social significance of Alberta. We need a government that doesn’t just pay lip service to supporting our major industries—including agriculture and energy—but one that pursues real solutions to improve the lives of Albertans."
