Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she’s appointing a group to negotiate with the Canadian government on removing laws that restrict energy production, adding that a referendum on the province separating from Canada may be on the ballot as soon as next year.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she has had a "positive" meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. The meeting is the first since Carney's Liberals won Monday's election and Smith warned the prime minister of any "hostile acts" his new government might take against her province.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she and Prime Minister Mark Carney had a constructive phone call, but “until I see tangible proof of real change, Alberta will be taking steps to better protect ourselves from Ottawa.