Smith hopes MOU with Ottawa can be finalized soon

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she hopes the memorandum of understanding between Alberta and the federal government on a streamlined project assessment system can be finalized in the coming days.

Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney, who are meeting today in Ottawa, both say that while progress has been made on a framework for a single project approval process, more needs to be done.

The premier says that industry and Albertans are getting impatient and the province needs a demonstration that “Canada can work.”

Work is now underway to verify signatures on a petition that could trigger a referendum on Alberta separation this fall.

Carney says he and Smith have made progress since the initial federal-provincial co-operation agreement was signed in November, citing a deal on methane emissions and measures for enhanced oil recovery.

Neither leader specifically mentioned pipelines today, even though Alberta has been pressing for an additional pipeline route to get oil to the Pacific coast through B.C.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

By David Baxter | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.