OTTAWA –
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is in Ottawa today after introducing a bill that would allow her province to block future direct funding from the federal government to cities.
It's just the latest example of a deepening rift between Smith's United Conservative Party government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals.
Smith proposed the legislation after Ottawa announced funding deals with several municipalities in Alberta in hopes of speeding up housing construction, as cities across Canada have already done.
She regularly accuses Trudeau of disregarding provincial jurisdiction, particularly when it comes to pushing forward action to combat climate change.
Smith is scheduled to speak at the annual Canada Strong and Free Network conference and answer questions from reporters.
This follows an appearance by New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs on Thursday, who discussed a policy replicated by Smith's government to restrict students' use of preferred names and pronouns in schools.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2024.