Live Tonight: Premier Smith’s Pre-Budget Address

With the 2026 provincial budget just one week away, Premier Danielle Smith is taking to the airwaves tonight to deliver a “state of the province” address. Expect a tone of fiscal sobriety as the government prepares Albertans for a tighter belt-tightening era.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

The Details

• When: Tonight, Thursday, Feb 19, at 6:45 p.m. MT.
• Where: Global, CTV, Rogers, and streaming via Alberta.ca.

The Core Narrative

The vibe for this broadcast is expected to be “managing expectations.” Here are the three pillars Smith is likely to focus on:

1. The Deficit Reality: After a year of volatile energy markets, the province is staring down a projected $6.4-billion deficit. Smith will likely frame this as a symptom of global oil price dips (dropping below the $74 WTI target).
2. The “Population Pressure” Defense: Look for the Premier to link the strain on healthcare and schools to rapid immigration. She is expected to double down on her demand for a Quebec-style immigration model to give Alberta more control over its growth.
3. Restraint vs. Austerity: While the numbers look grim, the UCP has hinted they will avoid major tax hikes or “slash-and-burn” cuts, opting instead for a “hold-the-line” strategy.

Why it Matters

This isn’t just a budget preview; it’s a political pivot. After a season of high spending and surpluses, Smith is recalibrating the public for a more conservative fiscal roadmap leading into the next election cycle.