Smith defends referendum as Nenshi calls it a waste of money on first day of fall legislativfe sitting

Day one of the fall sitting of the legislature saw members on both sides of the aisle debate the recently concluded referendum.

The 10-question referendum saw Albertans reject holding a second, binding referendum on separation by a 75-25 margin, with four questions regarding constitutional issues also being rejected by the electorate.

Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi, who heads the official opposition, called the entire process a waste of money.

"This referendum was a distraction and it was a division tactic, and it didn't work," said Nenshi on Tuesday. "Does she regret it?"

The referendum was called by Premier Danielle Smith back in May, with her saying at the time she would ardently support Alberta remaining in Canada.

Since the vote's conclusion, Smith has called on party members to move on, saying in a provincewide address last week that people running for positions within the United Conservative Party must accept the will of Albertans.

In response to Nenshi's question, Smith said she doesn't regret including the separation question, but there is work to do to address the concerns of the 25 per cent who voted to hold a second, binding referendum on Alberta's place in Confederation.

"When 700,000 people sign a petition saying they want to have this debate, we feel under our Citizen Initiative legislation that we're obliged to put that question to our fellow Albertans," she said. "It was a good exercise, Mr. Speaker."

Nenshi pressed Smith on the role of secessionists within the United Conservative Party.

"Is she still rolling out the Premier's red carpet for the separatists or will she remove them from her caucus?" asked Nenshi.

Smith responded by saying the provincial government backs Alberta being in Canada.

"That was our position before the referendum, it is our position after the referendum," said Smith.

The exchange comes weeks before the United Conservative Party's annual general meeting in Calgary and follows a vote by the Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul UCP constituency association in favour of a leadership review of Smith.

Following the vote, the riding's MLA, Scott Cyr, issued a statement on social media calling for unity.

"Our region is preparing for significant economic opportunities. The decisions we make today about highways, health care, education and infrastructure will determine whether our communities are ready for tomorrow. We should be building for that future, not allowing internal disputes to stand in the way," said Cyr.

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David Boles, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, St. Albert Gazette.