Smith was asked Tuesday about upcoming U.S. trip amid trade war

Listen to this article

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith denied suggestions Tuesday that her upcoming trip to Tennessee could be sending the wrong message amid a trade war between Canada and its southern neighbour.

"I hope no one's surprised to hear that I believe it's my job to continue reaching out at all levels to various influencers in the United States and get our message across that we have an incredible partnership," Smith told reporters at an unrelated news conference in Calgary.

"It's an incredible economic partnership, trade partnership, defence partnership, and we want it to continue."

The premier is set to travel to Nashville later this week on a personal trip, and her office said she'll be taking time out to meet with the head of the city's chamber of commerce, state tourism commissioner Mark Ezell and the chief executive of a Nashville tourism marketing agency.

While Smith positioned the meetings as examples of her diplomacy efforts during the trade dispute, she also said a priority would be learning more about how Calgary can position itself as "Nashville north" and boost investment in the music industry.

"It is a personal trip, but being down there I thought I'd take advantage of some of the expertise that's down there," she said.

Smith said the Tennessee capital made changes 25 years ago to make itself a music industry haven and economic powerhouse and she wants to find out how.

"I want to find out a little bit about what that is and see if we can develop some excellent partnerships with the music industry so that we can do a transfer of talent and transfer of expertise."

Smith also said Alberta wants to expand its tourism economy and that it's a good time to discuss leveraging Calgary's assets.

Nathan Cooper, Alberta's senior representative to the United States, is set to join the meetings.

Smith has said she wants to see Canadian officials double down on diplomacy efforts and get back to the negotiating table with the United States before Ottawa implements retaliatory tariffs next week.

Ottawa's tariffs, set to take effect Sept. 8, are in response to 50 per cent tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump ordered on $27.6 billion worth of Canadian goods starting Aug. 22.

Trade talks broke down in the final hours before the U.S. duties kicked in, with Prime Minister Mark Carney saying the United States was asking for too much and offering too little.

Alberta classrooms will see an influx of teachers this school year and a set of new rules that will restrict students and staff from discussing politically charged topics.

Starting Tuesday, teachers, staff and students will have to abide by new rules set out in legislation tabled by Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides in the spring, formerly known as Bill 25 — An Act to Remove Politics and Ideology from Classrooms and Amend the Education Act, 2026.

Article content

Rules on flag restrictions are still being developed, according to Nicolaides, who said it will come later this school year. He said the policy will be implemented as “originally developed” and said the government is working to ensure no additional strain will be put on school divisions.

“We just want to ensure a smooth implementation,” Nicolaides said in a Wednesday interview with Postmedia.

“We just want to make sure that we’re taking our time, having appropriate conversations with our school boards, so we can ensure a strong implementation.”

Under the new rules implemented on Tuesday, school boards are prohibited from issuing statements or taking positions on political and social topics, “impartial” education programming, a new student code of conduct, and ensuring school authorities maintain a “neutral and impartial” learning environment.

On Dec. 1, amendments will be made to the professional conduct and competency for teachers and teacher leaders regulation, which will require objectivity and a “balanced presentation of issues.” A new ministerial order will also establish principles for school board trustee codes of conduct to strengthen decorum and protect freedom of speech rights for elected trustees.

Article content

Alberta hires 2,127 teachers for the school year

As thousands of students returned back to school on Tuesday, Nicolaides announced the province has hired 2,127 new teachers for the school year. Of those teachers, 566 were hired as part of a complexity team consisting of a teacher and either one or two educational assistants.

When asked if the funding for teachers hired as part of a complexity team will go beyond the school year, he said it would be determined in Budget 2027.

“We are hearing really positive results from these complexity teams and certainly something that we intend to continue on with,” Nicolaides said.

The province has allocated funding to hire a total of 699 complexity teams with 133 teams still yet to be hired. Of the 699 teams, 158 will be for grades 7-12 and the remainder for grades K-6.

Nicolaides said hiring decisions remain with the school division, but is confident the positions will be filled.

According to the province, there were 835,089 students enrolled in the public education system in the 2025-2026 school year.

Alberta NDP education critic Amanda Chapman said at a press conference the information from Nicolaides Wednesday was nothing new.

EDMONTON — Alberta separatists converged outside the legislature in Edmonton on Saturday afternoon ahead of the province's birthday, with many praying, listening to sermons and saying Alberta would be better off without Canada after having joined Con

EDMONTON — Alberta separatists converged outside the legislature in Edmonton on Saturday afternoon ahead of the province's birthday, with many praying, listening to sermons and saying Alberta would be better off without Canada after having joined Confederation 121 years ago.

"It's the corruption, the lies from out east. I'm just tired of it," said Skip Macaulay, a rally attendee who lives in the central Alberta city of Lacombe. "I'm tired of being told how to live my life. I'm a gun enthusiast ... I want change."

"They don't listen to what Alberta wants and needs," said Jill Didow, an Edmonton resident who was also at the rally. "I believe in Alberta independence."

Alberta officially became a province on Sept. 1, 1905, and various festivities are planned this weekend to mark the anniversary on Tuesday.

The head of the Alberta Prosperity Project, the separatist group that organized the rally, called on attendees to stand up to Ottawa.

"Ottawa is putting its elbows up to protect themselves from us," Mitch Sylvestre claimed in front of a large crowd of people holding Alberta flags at the start of the rally. "We think that's backwards."

Prime Minister Mark Carney first pledged to go "elbows up" for Canada during his election campaign last year in response to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

After Sylvestre's brief speech, two pastors spent a large portion of the rally praying for the independence movement and delivering sermons.

"Provide for us the wisdom and leadership needed as we seek your justice in this province," said one pastor during a prayer, as some separatists took off their hats and lowered their heads.

Seven weeks away from the province's separation referendum, the Alberta Prosperity Project said before the rally that all Albertans were welcome at its "gathering for a province in peril."

The group filed a petition earlier this year pushing for a referendum question asking if Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada and become an independent state.

It was quashed in court in May, although the ruling is being appealed by those behind the petition campaign as well as by Premier Danielle Smith's government.

Smith has since scheduled an Oct. 19 referendum, but her ballot will instead ask Albertans whether the province should remain in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving the country.

The reasons for why the premier called the vote are in dispute.

Smith has said she supports staying in Canada but hundreds of thousands have signed petitions regarding separation and that it’s time to put the issue to rest once and for all.

She has said those wanting to separate are frustrated with Ottawa and "are not fringe voices."

From local headlines to the bigger stories shaping the world. Sign up for our free Daily Headlines newsletter and get the news you need to know - every day.

Critics, pointing to long-standing opinion polls indicating massive support for Alberta staying in Canada, accuse Smith of self-serving politics by calling the vote merely to placate restive separatist hardliners in her United Conservative Party.

Earlier this week, Thomas Lukaszuk, organizer of the pro-federalist Forever Canadian petition to keep Alberta in Canada, called for Smith to defer the vote in light of the trade war that Trump has launched.

Lukaszuk said he was writing on behalf of the more than 400,000 Albertans who signed his petition.

"We submit that this is not the time for unnecessary domestic conflict; this is the time for Albertans to stand together with our fellow Canadians and collectively rally against this unprecedented economic threat," Lukaszuk wrote.

Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, who held a "Vote for Canada" rally in Calgary on Saturday, has also called for the fall referendum to be put off or kiboshed.

During his rally, he called the vote "crazy," especially in light of the trade war.

He also criticized Smith's meeting with U.S. officials next week. Smith said Wednesday after Canada-U.S. trade talks fell apart that the United States had "no excuse for their behaviour" but that she didn't think Canada could win through "brute force."

Nenshi said that Smith's meetings with U.S. officials are pointless.

"Albertans have every right to be angry with a premier who basically thinks that if she's really nice to Trump, he will be really nice to us," Nenshi said.

"Let's not forget, she flew to Mar-a-Lago right after (Trump's) election to congratulate him. She went to his inauguration and none of it has worked," he said.

Nenshi also marked Alberta's birthday during his rally.

"It's a great day to celebrate all that we've accomplished," he said. "It's great day celebrate who we are as Albertans and remember that the core part of being Albertan is being a proud Canadian."

Smith is set to speak at an Alberta Day event in Calgary on Sunday.

Music, barbecues and beer gardens are also planned for Sunday across Alberta, including at the legislature.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2026.

Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press

Alberta separatists converged outside the legislature in Edmonton on Saturday afternoon ahead of the province’s birthday, with many praying, listening to sermons and saying Alberta would be better off without Canada after having joined Confederation 121 years ago.

“It’s the corruption, the lies from out east. I’m just tired of it,” said Skip Macaulay, a rally attendee who lives in the central Alberta city of Lacombe. “I’m tired of being told how to live my life. I’m a gun enthusiast … I want change.”

“They don’t listen to what Alberta wants and needs,” said Jill Didow, an Edmonton resident who was also at the rally. “I believe in Alberta independence.”

Alberta officially became a province on Sept. 1, 1905, and various festivities are planned this weekend to mark the anniversary on Tuesday.

The head of the Alberta Prosperity Project, the separatist group that organized the rally, called on attendees to stand up to Ottawa.

“Ottawa is putting its elbows up to protect themselves from us,” Mitch Sylvestre claimed in front of a large crowd of people holding Alberta flags at the start of the rally. “We think that’s backwards.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney first pledged to go “elbows up” for Canada during his election campaign last year in response to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

After Sylvestre’s brief speech, two pastors spent a large portion of the rally praying for the independence movement and delivering sermons.

“Provide for us the wisdom and leadership needed as we seek your justice in this province,” said one pastor during a prayer, as some separatists took off their hats and lowered their heads.

Seven weeks away from the province’s separation referendum, the Alberta Prosperity Project said before the rally that all Albertans were welcome at its “gathering for a province in peril.”

The group filed a petition earlier this year pushing for a referendum question asking if Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada and become an independent state.

It was quashed in court in May, although the ruling is being appealed by those behind the petition campaign as well as by Premier Danielle Smith’s government.

Smith has since scheduled an Oct. 19 referendum, but her ballot will instead ask Albertans whether the province should remain in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving the country.

The reasons for why the premier called the vote are in dispute.

Smith has said she supports staying in Canada but hundreds of thousands have signed petitions regarding separation and that it’s time to put the issue to rest once and for all.

She has said those wanting to separate are frustrated with Ottawa and “are not fringe voices.”

Critics, pointing to long-standing opinion polls indicating massive support for Alberta staying in Canada, accuse Smith of self-serving politics by calling the vote merely to placate restive separatist hardliners in her United Conservative Party.

Earlier this week, Thomas Lukaszuk, organizer of the pro-federalist Forever Canadian petition to keep Alberta in Canada, called for Smith to defer the vote in light of the trade war that Trump has launched.

Lukaszuk said he was writing on behalf of the more than 400,000 Albertans who signed his petition.

“We submit that this is not the time for unnecessary domestic conflict; this is the time for Albertans to stand together with our fellow Canadians and collectively rally against this unprecedented economic threat,” Lukaszuk wrote.

Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, who held a “Vote for Canada” rally in Calgary on Saturday, has also called for the fall referendum to be put off or kiboshed.

During his rally, he called the vote “crazy,” especially in light of the trade war.

He also criticized Smith’s meeting with U.S. officials next week. Smith said Wednesday after Canada-U.S. trade talks fell apart that the United States had “no excuse for their behaviour” but that she didn’t think Canada could win through “brute force.”

Nenshi said that Smith’s meetings with U.S. officials are pointless.

“Albertans have every right to be angry with a premier who basically thinks that if she’s really nice to Trump, he will be really nice to us,” Nenshi said.

“Let’s not forget, she flew to Mar-a-Lago right after (Trump’s) election to congratulate him. She went to his inauguration and none of it has worked,” he said.

Nenshi also marked Alberta’s birthday during his rally.

“It’s a great day to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished,” he said. “It’s great day celebrate who we are as Albertans and remember that the core part of being Albertan is being a proud Canadian.”

Smith is set to speak at an Alberta Day event in Calgary on Sunday.

Music, barbecues and beer gardens are also planned for Sunday across Alberta, including at the legislature.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has asked the federal government for “latitude” to implement the dual practice health care model, saying it will not hurt the public healthcare system.

Smith told reporters at an unrelated press conference on Tuesday the province is currently working with the federal government to demonstrate that the new model does not contravene the Canada Health Act.

Article content

“It’s not illegal to opt out of the health system and treat private patients, we’ve seen that in Quebec,” Smith said.

Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.

“It’s an active discussion, as always, with the federal government on the terms under which they will fund our health care, but we’ve asked them to give us some latitude to implement this model.”

Formerly Bill 11, the Health Statutes Amendment Act 2025 allows specialized physicians to provide both private and public services, but excludes family doctors. The legislation passed last fall and takes effect Tuesday.

Smith said 400 physicians have already expressed an interest in the dual practice model. She said there will be “rigorous oversight and reporting” when it comes to the new model.

“I’ll be making sure that there’s no hospital that does fewer surgeries next year than they did last year, and that’s the way that we hold it to account,” Smith said.

“Any doctor who wants to participate in dual practice has to continue providing us the same service that they currently do, they can’t reduce it.”

The first surgeries are expected this fall. Officials said in June there is no maximum number of hours a physician approved for dual practice can work in the private sector. They said the limit on the number of hours a physician can work will be subject to their professional practice requirements established by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).

Article content

Any cancer-related and life-threatening conditions, regardless of specialty, will remain publicly funded and exempt from the dual practice model.

Albertans rallied across the province on Tuesday voicing their opposition to the dual practice model. The protests organized by health coalitions urged the federal government and Alberta members of Parliament to enforce the Canadian Health Act.

Alberta NDP hospital and surgical services critic Sarah Hoffman said Albertans are rightfully concerned about the dual-practice model.

“Those who can pay move to the front of the line, while everyone else waits even longer,” Hoffman said.

“Albertans want shorter wait times, better access to doctors, and a stronger public health care system. Instead, the UCP is putting private profits for their friends ahead of tax paying Albertans.”

Select surgical procedures approved by the CPSA will be available under the dual practice model such as orthopedics, minimally invasive general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, and ear/nose/throat surgeries.