Premier Danielle Smith says her focus will be on repairing the destruction she says Ottawa has caused to Alberta over the past decade as the idea of separation from Canada gains greater public attention.

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.