For Jeff Rath if Premier Danielle Smith won’t back Alberta independence she should not support or campaign for the pro-Canada side.

She should butt out of the battle.

You see, Albertans are expected to vote in October on whether the province stays in Canada or splits from Canada and becomes independent.

On Thursday, Rath, one of the top players in the Alberta separatist movement, hears Smith talking to newshounds and he doesn’t like what he’s hearing.

At one point, one of the newshounds asks the premier why she doesn’t just put the question of Alberta independence on the ballot right now.

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“My position is we should remain in Canada. That’s the position of our government. We believe we should assert sovereignty within a united Canada. That is our policy,” says Smith.

“Others are putting forward a proposal that would have a different position and so it would not be a government-sponsored question.”

Rath says he listened to that sound bite three times.

Now Smith has talked many, many times about what she calls sovereignty within a united Canada. She has said she is for Canada.

But, as the province inches ever closer to the day when the Battle of Alberta kicks off and people choose up sides for or against staying in Canada, what Smith will do when the........

© Calgary Herald