Frustration over early trajectory of federal election campaign prompts separatist talk in Alberta

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in March issued something between a threat and a prediction: The winner of the federal election will have six months to roll out policies friendly to the energy industry or face an “unprecedented national unity crisis.”Ms. Smith had previously made headlines with her visit to Florida in January to meet U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and her refusal to sign the statement from then prime minister Justin Trudeau and the other premiers about how to deal with the burgeoning trade war with Canada’s southern neighbour. Critics floated the word “traitor” as they opposed her adventures in foreign policy, even though the Premier insisted she was firmly on Team Canada.