Nelson: Bet on Danielle Smith in Alberta's biggest ever political lottery

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeColumnists Nelson: Bet on Danielle Smith in Alberta's biggest ever political lottery It’s the machinations within her own party that threaten to derail Smith as premier Author of the article: By Chris Nelson  •  For The Calgary Herald Published Sep 24, 2026 Last updated 41 minutes ago 3 minute read Join the conversation Premier Danielle Smith speaks at a press conference highlighting education investments and initiatives heading into the 2026-27 school year in Calgary on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia Article content Danielle Smith can see the promised land. Whether she reaches it as Alberta’s premier is anyone’s guess in these crazy, mixed-up days. Article content Still, if anyone can manoeuvre through the tumultuous few months ahead, it’s Smith. Article content Article content After all, she’s put herself through the political and personal wringer enough times, so the chaotic state of Alberta right now won’t deter her from doing what she thinks is right for the province. Article content Article content But hold on. Just because someone thinks they’re doing the right thing doesn’t make it so. All manner of disasters have arisen from well-meaning folk consumed with the very best of intentions. 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 Yet, such surety that she is doing what’s in the best interests of Alberta is the premier’s ultimate saving grace. Article content Nobody could ever seriously accuse Smith of looking beyond the borders of this province for her own future self-aggrandizement. That’s not something you could say with as much conviction when it comes to our prime minister, for example, whose public love affair with Europe these days might be more a case of what’s good for Mark Carney’s future global ambitions superseding what’s important in solidifying this nation’s long-term prosperity. Article content Anyhow, Smith is indeed in the eye of the hurricane right now. Article content For some, she’s a traitor to Canada by making it easier to hold a provincewide vote on separation, while to others she’s a duplicitous turncoat, one who has abandoned those who…