Red Deer- South MLA Jason Stephan delivered a leaflet to citizens this week, decrying the "Team Canada" approach to U.S. relations and tariffs.
In the leaflet that landed in Red Deer-South constituents' mailboxes, Stephan says that Alberta has been left behind by those who support the "Team Canada" approach.
"Yes, Canada is suffering under economic warfare, but what about Alberta, who suffered economic warfare under (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau for many years. Where was Team Canada back then?" The leaflet reads.
"And now in this trade war, some on this "team" are calling for export taxes on Alberta oil using us as their sacrificial lamb, costing them nothing! This is a fake team. Canada is broken. And this has been the case for a long time. And the acknowledgement of this truth stands independent of. and does not condone, destructive trade wars. Politicians, including Trudeau, broke Canada and made us more vulnerable to trade wars."
The leaflet delivers a number of other criticisms of Alberta's place in the Canadian federation and arrived as the country heads to a federal election on April 28.
"It is important to speak the truth even if some do not like it. Wouldn't it be wonderful for Albertans to stop being exploited, transferring hundreds of billions to Quebec and other hypocrites who attack and hold Alberta back?" reads the leaflet, which is titled Budget 2025, meeting the challenge.
"And wouldn't it be wonderful to stop having to fund an entrenched SWAMP in Ottawa who glut themselves on our labors (sic) and are often jealous and hostile to Alberta's freedom and prosperity?"
On her weekly radio show Your Province. Your Premier. Smith said she's been clear about where she stands in relation to Canada's response to Donald Trump's continued talk of annexing Canada, making it the 51st state and potentially more tariffs.
"I've been supportive of reasonable counter measures. I've taken some flack for it, we joined the other provinces in turning off the ordering system for American liquor to send the message that we're united on that. We have got a buy local campaign that has started... we're assessing our procurement policies to see how we might be able to buy more steal and aluminum from Quebec and Ontario. That is a full team Canada approach," she said.
"If you're asking me, do I support giving $40 billion more to the federal Liberals, 100 per cent no. There's nothing that is going to convince me of that."
Smith also added she's had productive talks with other premiers about how to build a better Canada going forward.
"What I have found is that my fellow premiers鈥� no matter their political stripe have all been very constructive," she said.
"That was the agreement we signed on to last week. We all agreed that we were going to work on economic corridors to get our product to market, including oil, gas, transmission lines, roads, broadband, rail lines, new port infrastructure. I am delighted to see that at the subnational level, we have unity on that. Let's build on that. That is the way in which we are going to make this country really work again. To also make sure we maintain a superpower status in our own right, by being a major export market. I'm feeling very encouraged with what I'm seeing on a provincial level."
Stephan offered a different perspective.
"Other than taking many billions from us every year, attacking, and holding us back, what does Canada offer Alberta?" he said.
"Albertans share a desire for freedom and prosperity for themselves and their children. That is good. The status quo is unacceptable and that is the truth."
In the legislature on March 24, Stephan repeated similar sentiments.
"Mr. Speaker, it is our duty to seek freedom and prosperity for Albertans and to speak the truth in love. Wouldn't it be wonderful for Albertans to stop being exploited, transferring hundreds of billions to Quebec and others who act in hypocritical ways, who attack and hold us back," he said.
"Wouldn't it be wonderful to stop having to fund government jobs in Ottawa and entrenched swamp who glut themselves on our labours. And are often jealous and hostile to Alberta's freedom and prosperity."
The Red Deer-South MLA is set to hold a Public town hall on Wednesday, April 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
"This town hall will discuss threatened U.S tariffs and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith鈥檚 efforts to protect Alberta鈥檚 interests and seek win-win results for all," a press release from Stephan on March 28 stated.
"We will also discuss important local developments, including the great news of the removal of the destructive drug consumption site from Red Deer and next steps to further reduce crime and disorder in our community. We will also share exciting updates on the transformative expansion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital."
