Asked if she’s concerned Americans may use the upcoming Alberta referendum to exploit weakness in Canada and potentially try to absorb the province as a “51st state,” Premier Danielle Smith expressed certainty Albertans would not be interested. “No one I talk to says, ‘Gosh, I wish Alberta was an American state.’ So, I think Albertans are having a discussion about having a different relationship with Ottawa, and what that might look like, but I don't think that Albertans want to swap an overbearing Ottawa for an overbearing Washington,” Smith told reporters on Tuesday. “I think it's a non-starter for Albertans,” she added. Questioned on her upcoming “personal” trip to the U.S. – amid trade tensions and new tariffs from President Donald Trump – Smith said it’s her “job to continue reaching out at all levels to various influencers in the U.S. and get our message across that we have an incredible partnership.” Smith also said she wanted to “develop some excellent partnerships” within Nashville’s music industry to help boost Alberta’s visitor economy and make Calgary “Nashville North.” For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/12043092/alberta-referendum-mail-in-ballots-2/ Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on TikTok HERE: https://www.tiktok.com/@globalnews.ca?lang=en #GlobalNews #AlbertaReferendum #USCanadaTradeWar #51stState