Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is seeking security clearance to receive briefings on foreign interference in her province, but the leader of the Opposition says she shouldn’t be trusted with it.

The premier told the Legislative Assembly of Alberta this week that she has started the process to get a higher security clearance so she can receive briefings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

“I would like to know if there is any foreign interference happening in our province,” Smith said during question period Wednesday.

The premier’s office did not immediately respond to questions Thursday on whether she had specific concerns when it came to potential foreign interference.

‘Alternative sources’

Smith’s desire for security clearance was revealed Wednesday when Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi asked about the Alberta Sheriffs, which Smith’s government is turning into a full-fledged police force capable of taking over local policing duties from the RCMP.

Smith said earlier this week that just like any other police force, the sheriffs will have an intelligence unit and she criticized the RCMP for not being more forthcoming on potential interference or security issues when it comes to Alberta’s upcoming referendum in the fall.

The referendum could include a vote on separation, if a petition looking to force it reaches the nearly 178,000 signatures required.

“The RCMP does not brief our government, I made that clear, and no, I’m not happy with that fact, which is why we have to go to alternative sources to be able to get intelligence,” Smith said Wednesday.

“We have some deficiencies, and we’re going to do everything we can to fill them.”

Nenshi said he believes Smith should be disqualified from obtaining the clearance, citing what he called her lack of concern about the ongoing separation campaign in Alberta, and questions he has about the premier’s trip to Saudi Arabia last fall to meet with local government officials, which was taken on a private plane.

“I sure as hell wouldn’t give her security clearance,” Nenshi told reporters Thursday.

“She sees nothing wrong with taking gifts from foreign actors and foreign governments.”

Private plane

Smith confirmed this week that she and members of her staff accepted accommodations and travelled on a private plane provided by the Saudi government during a visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates last fall.

The trip was for Smith to discuss potential collaborations on energy development and artificial intelligence. Smith has said the private plane was needed as the group travelled to a military base, oilfield and refinery, all of which were difficult to access via commercial air traffic.

Accepting the accommodations was a matter of social protocol, Smith has said, adding that she had developed a bond with the Saudi energy minister after the pair met in Calgary a couple of years ago.

Smith has said both the private plane and accommodations were approved in advance by the ethics commissioner and that it’s in line with measures Alberta takes when foreign dignitaries come to tour the province’s oilsands.

CSIS director notes foreign actors’ interest in governments

CSIS director Daniel Rogers said last year the agency was bracing for foreign meddling when it comes to the potential Alberta separation vote.

Rogers noted in a November speech that foreign actors have a great interest in both national and lower-level governments, “whose data, technological innovations, influence and access to resources can shift the balance of advantage.”

Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis, as well as Justice Minister Mickey Amery, told reporters Thursday that they weren’t applying for security clearance with CSIS.

But Ellis said that as part of the approval process for Smith, it was his understanding a “secure area” needed to be built within the legislature to allow for her to receive briefings.

“It’s not as simple as people think,” Ellis said. “It’s not a phone call.”

He said foreign interference is taken very seriously in Alberta and that if any was occurring, he hoped the appropriate law enforcement action would be taken, regardless of agency.

CSIS did not immediately respond to questions about Smith’s request.