Danielle Smith's referendum gamble episode artwork

EPISODE · May 29, 2026 · 27 MIN

Danielle Smith's referendum gamble

from The Big Story · host Ryan Jespersen, Caryn Ceolin

As separatist sentiment swirls across Alberta, the country has been holding it's breath and wondering: "will we face another separation referendum?" It seemed inevitable, as Premier Danielle Smith changed the rules to make putting a referendum forward easier. But a court decision rejected their petition on the grounds that Indigenous peoples who would be affected were not properly consulted. Smith has since announced a compromise, of sorts: a referendum on whether or not to have a separation referendum. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Ryan Jespersen, host of "Real Talk", an Alberta daily news and politics show, to get the perspective from the ground, and discuss how she has managed to anger both federalist and separatist Albertans.  You can listen to "Real Talk" with Ryan Jespersen wherever you get your podcast, or at https://www.ryanjespersen.com/ And you can follow the show on YouTube and all social media @RealTalkRJ We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

As separatist sentiment swirls across Alberta, the country has been holding it's breath and wondering: "will we face another separation referendum?" It seemed inevitable, as Premier Danielle Smith changed the rules to make putting a referendum forward easier. But a court decision rejected their petition on the grounds that Indigenous peoples who would be affected were not properly consulted. Smith has since announced a compromise, of sorts: a referendum on whether or not to have a separation referendum. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Ryan Jespersen, host of "Real Talk", an Alberta daily news and politics show, to get the perspective from the ground, and discuss how she has managed to anger both federalist and separatist Albertans.

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Danielle Smith's referendum gamble

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This episode was published on May 29, 2026.

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As separatist sentiment swirls across Alberta, the country has been holding it's breath and wondering: "will we face another separation referendum?" It seemed inevitable, as Premier Danielle Smith changed the rules to make putting a referendum...

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