Danielle Smith has been vindicated: Rick Bell

1 hour ago 5

The veteran columnists explains to Rob Breakenridge that the separatist movement badly overestimated its strength

Published Oct 21, 2026

Last updated 24 minutes ago

1 minute read

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Albertans have voted and their verdict is a decisive rejection of separation. Monday’s referendum results show that approximately three-quarters of Alberta voters opted for the Remain side, and a majority also supported eight of the premier’s other nine questions around immigration and constitutional reform. So, does the resounding defeat for the separatist side mean an end to the debate — and an end to the internal threat to Danielle Smith’s leadership of the UCP? In this interview, Rob Breakenridge is joined by veteran Calgary Sun political columnist Rick Bell for a closer look at the results and the political fallout.

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Bell argues the separatist movement badly overestimated its strength and fell well short of expectations, which should give Premier Smith a stronger hand in pushing back against separatist elements within her own party. At the same time, Bell warns that the federal government shouldn’t take this result as a ringing endorsement of Canada’s status quo, and there is still much work to be done in building a stronger relationship between Alberta and Ottawa.

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