Bell: Alberta separatist leader takes on Smith, says pro-Canada side is stalling

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal NewsNationalPoliticsOpinionColumnists Bell: Alberta separatist leader takes on Smith, says pro-Canada side is stalling The Alberta independence movement believes they are gaining ground in Oct. 19 referendum fight Author of the article: By Rick Bell Published Sep 11, 2026 Last updated 11 minutes ago 3 minute read Join the conversation The Alberta independence movement believes they are gaining ground in Oct. 19 referendum fight PHOTO BY JIM WELLS /Postmedia Calgary archive Article content Keith Wilson, one of the leaders in the fight for Alberta independence, appears pretty upbeat these days. Article content “The campaign is going better than I anticipated at this point and we are building momentum while the federalist side seems to be stalling.” Article content Article content Wilson is not impressed with Premier Danielle Smith campaigning for the stay-in-Canada side, or as she calls it, “a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.” Article content Article content The Smith government is spending about $4 million on an ad campaign and is urging Albertans “to vote in support of a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.” Article content Noon News Roundup Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “I think it’s inappropriate,” says Wilson. Article content “You either have a referendum or you don’t and when you have a referendum it’s for the people to decide. Article content “She doesn’t have a limit on her spending budget. She doesn’t have to account for every frigging dollar and she is putting her thumb on the scale. Article content “The Smith government is using taxpayer dollars to tip the scales in favour of the stay-in-Canada side.” Article content Keith Wilson and Tanya Clemens speak at a press conference to launch the campaign ‘Let Alberta Decide’ in Calgary on June 19, 2026. PHOTO BY JIM WELLS /Postmedia Calgary archive Article content In this referendum battle. Wilson is trying to court Albertans who want to leave Canada now as well as Albertans wanting to send an in-your-face message to Ottawa. Article content After all, the Oct. 19 referendum vote asks Albertans whether they want to…