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 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.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will chair an “Alberta next” panel to brainstorm how the province can protect itself from perceived economic incursions from the federal Liberal government.