Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to take questions for first time since separation vote

CALGARY — Premier Danielle Smith will take questions today for the first time since Albertans overwhelmingly rejected separation in Monday’s referendum.

Smith said she voted to stay in Canada, but said she had little choice but to call the referendum to quash a burgeoning and divisive debate over Alberta’s role in Confederation.

About three-quarters of voters marked an X to say yes to staying in Canada rather than holding a second, binding referendum on leaving.

Last night, Smith delivered a provincewide TV address to outline what comes next.