Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she’s appointing a group to negotiate with the Canadian government on removing laws that restrict energy production, adding that a referendum on the province separating from Canada may be on the ballot as soon as next year.

Danielle Smith said she wants a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, but the voices of those unhappy with Confederation are not fringe extremists and must be listened to.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she and Prime Minister Mark Carney had a constructive phone call, but “until I see tangible proof of real change, Alberta will be taking steps to better protect ourselves from Ottawa.