“The Alberta premier isn’t mincing words. As Mark Carney makes campaign jokes, Danielle Smith turns the punchline into political pushback.”
The War of Words Escalates Between Carney and Smith
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is calling out Liberal Leader Mark Carney over comments she says reflect a deeper issue with “progressive men” and their discomfort with assertive conservative women.
In a sharp rebuttal delivered Monday in Edmonton, Smith didn’t hold back.
“The attitude is, ‘sit down and shut up.’ Well, I don’t shut up,”
she declared.
“I make sure that Albertans know exactly how I feel about issues—and I’m going to continue advocating on behalf of my province, whether he likes it or not.”
Her remarks follow a joke Carney made at a rally in Victoria, where he poked fun at Smith’s media presence, particularly regarding U.S. conservative networks like Fox News.
The Comment That Sparked the Clash
At the rally, Carney lightheartedly discussed how Canadian premiers have been taking their concerns to American audiences. While applauding Ontario Premier Doug Ford for addressing Fox News, Carney quipped:
“And we’re going to send Danielle next… well, no, maybe we won’t. That was a bad idea.”
It may have been meant as a joke—but Smith didn’t find it funny.
From Humour to Headlines: Smith’s Counterpunch
Smith’s response was swift and fiery, framing Carney’s remarks as part of a larger pattern she sees in federal politics:
“I’ve noticed this with progressive men… how much they talk about supporting women until they meet a strong conservative woman.”
She also alluded to past tensions with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, suggesting this isn’t a one-off incident but part of a broader political culture.
Frosty Relations, Deeper Frustrations
This isn’t the first sign of tension between Smith and Carney. Since his swearing-in as prime minister just last month, their interactions have been chilly at best. When the two leaders met in Edmonton early on, there was no official photo or warm messaging that typically accompanies such federal-provincial meetings.
Instead, Smith followed up with a list of demands for the federal government and even warned of a “national unity crisis” if they were ignored.
While she’s clarified she doesn’t support separation, Smith has floated the idea of a citizens’ panel to explore Alberta’s future within Canada—if her demands go unmet six months after the April 28 election.
Western Grievances and Political Chess
Carney’s stance on emissions caps, especially around Alberta’s oil and gas sector, has only added fuel to the fire. Despite early confusion, Carney confirmed he will proceed with the emissions cap, a policy Smith strongly opposes.
Meanwhile, western alienation continues to simmer. A recent op-ed by Preston Manning warned that a Carney-led government could revive western secessionist sentiments. Polls suggest a minority of Albertans are open to separation—but the number is not insignificant.
What’s Next in This Clash of Titans?
Smith has made it clear: she’s focused on provincial interests, not partisan politics in Ottawa. But with Carney’s Liberals gaining national momentum and tensions mounting in the West, this personal-political feud is becoming a central storyline in the federal campaign.
One thing is certain: neither Danielle Smith nor Mark Carney are backing down.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for more on the biggest voices, sharpest clashes, and defining moments of Canada’s federal election.
