Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she’s appointing a group to negotiate with the Canadian government on removing laws that restrict energy production, adding that a referendum on the province separating from Canada may be on the ballot as soon as next year.

Activists would need signatures from a reduced fraction of Albertans to force a referendum, thanks to a new UCP bill. But to actually win separation, they must climb a much higher wall (and most oppose the idea).

Danielle Smith said she wants a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, but the voices of those unhappy with Confederation are not fringe extremists and must be listened to.