Kinew, Eby clash with Smith at Western Premiers Conference

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said an A&W worker told him, “Tell our premier we don’t want to separate from Canada,” while Danielle Smith stayed committed to an Oct. 19 vote.

The 2026 Western Premiers Conference closed Thursday amid tensions over Alberta separatism, as the premiers of B.C. and Manitoba confronted Alberta Premier Danielle Smith before the media.

After meeting with premiers in Calgary, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew recalled an interaction with an A&W worker.

“Tell our premier we don’t want to separate from Canada,” he said the worker told him.

“So I’m passing that message on to you, Danielle and saying on behalf of the rest of Canada: we’re with that lady from A&W.”