QUÉBEC — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, in her first public event in Quebec City, delivered a short speech in French and commiserated over the playoff demise of the Montreal Canadiens.

Smith told business leaders today that she thinks Alberta and Quebec should forge ahead with a stronger economic alliance.

She highlighted the differences between the two provinces, and jokingly pointed to her tenuous grasp of the French language, but concluded they could easily be overcome.

She gave a nod to the Canadiens recent NHL playoff run to hockey’s final four, and said she wished she could have seen the Habs go further.

She called on business leaders to deepen their connections with Alberta and said she’d do the same upon returning home.

Smith was set to meet with Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette later Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2026.

The Canadian Press