Rebel News Podcast: "Pipeline Pressure: Alberta Eyes Independence If Ottawa Fails"

Host: Ezra Levant
Guests: Sheila Gunn Reid, Angelika, Premier Danielle Smith (via speech and Q&A)
Date: December 2, 2025

Overview

This episode covers the United Conservative Party (UCP) of Alberta's convention, attended by over 4,000 delegates, focusing on Alberta's relationship with Ottawa amid a pivotal pipeline deal. The stakes: if the new Alberta-Ottawa energy agreement fails—especially the long-awaited pipeline to the coast—there is mounting grassroots support for Alberta's potential independence. The episode centers on Premier Danielle Smith’s keynote speech and subsequent Q&A, exploring issues of energy policy, federal-provincial relations, independence sentiment, and key conservative priorities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Premier Danielle Smith’s Keynote Speech ([00:45]–[13:20])

• Energy & Pipeline Victory

  • Smith claims a hard-won victory with Ottawa, repealing anti-Alberta laws and enabling a dramatic Alberta-led oil and gas expansion.
  • Notable achievements:
    • Doubling oil production by 2035
    • Building a 1 million barrel/day pipeline to Asia
    • Overhauling tanker bans and pipeline restrictions
    • Stabilizing the power grid by suspending net-zero regulations

• Federal-Provincial Tensions

  • Acknowledges deep Albertan frustration with Ottawa’s treatment.
  • Urges delegates, "let’s not throw in the towel and give up on our country. Just as the battle has turned in our favor and victory is in sight" ([03:50]).

• “Trust But Verify” with Ottawa

  • Quotes Reagan: “trust but verify,” promising to hold Ottawa accountable step by step ([09:00]).

• Immigration Policy Shift

  • Announces Alberta will assert more control over immigration, prioritizing economic immigrants and Albertans for jobs.
  • “We need an immigration policy that puts Albertans first...” ([11:20]).

• Law & Order, Free Speech, and Social Issues

  • Vows to strengthen law enforcement and victims’ rights, fund police, and reject ‘woke’ policies.
  • Introduces ‘Peterson Law’ ensuring professionals won’t lose credentials for political beliefs.
  • Announces new Sovereignty Act motion: provincial entities will refuse federal gun seizure enforcement, emphasizing self-defense rights.

Notable Quotes:

“Let there be no doubt... Immigrants from other provinces and countries have been essential... But… what was effectively an open borders policy by Ottawa... has upended that.” ([11:30])
“If you don’t want to get shot, don’t break into someone’s house. It’s really that simple, isn’t it?” ([12:46])

2. Ezra Levant’s & Panel’s Analysis ([13:20]–[32:10])

• Premier’s Policy Breadth

  • Smith covered not just energy, but immigration, crime, and culture war topics (transgender issues, school policy).
  • Applause for stances on immigration control, gender issues in sports, gun rights, and the new Peterson Law.

• Unease over Pipeline Deal

  • The pipeline Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) received mixed grassroots reactions, including some booing—not directed at Smith, but at perceived federal overreach and the carbon tax increase in the deal.
  • Sheila Gunn Reid: “The pipeline deal is not popular with the grassroots.... most [policy resolutions] deal with net zero, carbon taxes, government overreach.” ([21:09])
  • Grassroots worry the MOU burdens Alberta with higher industrial carbon taxes for a pipeline that ‘may never materialize.’

• Alberta Independence Sentiment

  • Rising independence sentiment if Ottawa or BC governments block progress.
  • Angelika: “If this project fails... the independence movement is going to skyrocket.... it's already starting to stir up.” ([25:50])
  • Observation that separatist themes dominate this UCP convention, with advocacy groups like Alberta Prosperity Project highly active.

• Pipeline “Plan B” Scenarios

  • Smith open to U.S.-bound pipeline proposals if BC remains hostile (e.g., reviving Keystone XL).
  • Focused on ensuring supply chain reliability—a prerequisite for attracting investment.

• Industrial Carbon Tax Debate

  • Premier Smith negotiated a reduced carbon tax trajectory compared to Ottawa’s plan, but admits an upper limit is necessary to avoid stifling investment. ([17:34])

3. Media Coverage and Free Speech ([21:55]–[24:24])

• Independent vs. “Regime” Media

  • Consolidation of independent, alternative journalists at the convention, contrasted with CBC and mainstream outlets.
  • Ezra: “Independent journalism is changing and breaking the monopoly held by those regime journalists.... The regime media is despised by these folks.” ([22:49])

• Comparison to Nixon’s Historical Diplomacy

  • Ezra frames Smith’s negotiations as “only Nixon could go to China,” suggesting Smith’s nationalist credibility allows her to bargain with Ottawa without losing her base’s trust.
  • Sheila remains skeptical, arguing the deal’s details—not just the messenger—matter: “I do trust that Daniel Smith has Alberta's best interests at heart. But I think she's given up too much here.” ([24:24])

4. Social and Cultural Policy Highlights ([29:46]–[31:45])

• Peterson Law (Jordan Peterson Free Speech Law)

  • Prevents professional bodies from disciplining members for political speech, inspired by high-profile cases during COVID and by Jordan Peterson’s struggles.
  • Huge applause among grassroots; seen as a conservative free speech victory.
  • “[The law] prevents professional organizations from attacking their members based on their political beliefs.” – Sheila Gunn Reid ([29:50])

• Gun Rights and Self-Defense

  • Alberta to block federal gun grab—RCMP will not participate in federal firearm seizures.
  • “If you don’t want to be shot, don’t break into someone’s house” – summary of Smith’s tough stance ([31:37])
  • Audience deeply supportive of expanded self-defense rights.

5. Convention Atmosphere & Turnout ([32:10]–End)

• Ezra notes the size and energy of the gathering, estimating 4,000 attendees, though slightly down from last year.
• Alberta remains described as Canada’s epicenter for “fighting for freedom.”

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• Danielle Smith:
  • “All we need is a government in Ottawa to get out of the way and let us turn Canada into a thriving energy superpower with Alberta leading the way.” ([07:41])
  • “On behalf of Albertans, I will be verifying and holding Ottawa accountable every step of the way.” ([09:02])
  • “We need an immigration policy that puts Albertans first...” ([11:23])
  • “If you don’t want to get shot, don’t break into someone’s house.” ([12:46])
• Sheila Gunn Reid:
  • “The pipeline deal is not popular with the grassroots.... most [policy resolutions] deal with net zero, carbon taxes, government overreach.” ([21:09])
  • “I do trust that Daniel Smith has Alberta's best interests at heart. But I think she's given up too much here.” ([24:24])
  • On the Peterson Law: “[It] prevents professional organizations from attacking their members based on their political beliefs.” ([29:50])
• Angelika:
  • “If this project fails... the independence movement is going to skyrocket.... it's already starting to stir up.” ([25:50])
• Ezra Levant:
  • “Independent journalism is changing and breaking the monopoly held by those regime journalists.... The regime media is despised by these folks.” ([22:49])

Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:00–00:45: Ezra opens from UCP convention, sets context
• 00:45–13:20: Danielle Smith’s keynote address
• 13:20–15:02: Ezra and Sheila discuss speech, Smith’s approach to pipeline options
• 15:02–17:34: Smith answers on alternative pipeline routes and labor disruptions
• 17:34–20:20: Q&A on carbon tax; Smith details industrial carbon pricing and open season
• 20:20–21:55: Panel discusses grassroots reaction, applause, some booing
• 21:55–24:24: Independent versus mainstream media, Smith compared to “Nixon goes to China”
• 24:24–26:49: Detailed independence sentiment, Alberta Prosperity Project influence
• 29:46–31:45: Discussion of Peterson Law, gun rights, self-defense applause lines

Tone & Language

• The language is energized, direct, and populist, with assertive conservative positions throughout.
• Premier Smith’s tone: confident, combative, and rallying.
• Panel: Expresses both enthusiastic support and deep grassroots skepticism, with an undercurrent of Alberta-first sentiment and preparedness for drastic measures (independence) should Ottawa “fail.”

Summary Takeaways

• The UCP and Alberta grassroots are unified behind Premier Smith but wary of trusting Ottawa.
• Alberta’s patience with confederation hinges on the success of the pipeline and respect for provincial autonomy; failure may ignite a mainstream independence movement.
• Social conservatism, law and order, free speech (Peterson Law), and immigration controls have become signature themes.
• The Alberta government is actively working to insulate itself from federal initiatives—on guns, immigration, and energy regulation.
• Independent media is playing a pivotal counter-narrative role at grassroots events.
• The atmosphere is one of pride, vigilance, and a readiness to escalate if Ottawa “pulls the rug out” yet again.