Alberta Premier Danielle Smith: Delusions of Grandeur

The phrase "delusions of grandeur" has been repeatedly used in Alberta political commentary and opinion writing to critique Premier Danielle Smith's leadership style and policy decisions. Critics allege that Smith exhibits overconfidence in her authority and vision—sometimes brushing aside constitutional limits and expert advice, especially regarding the province's relationship with Ottawa, the handling of public health policy, and her embrace of conspiracy theories or polarizing rhetoric. These allegations have surfaced in editorial contexts, social media, and established opinion journalism discussing Smith's responses to pandemic measures, her approach to Alberta's autonomy within Canada, and controversial comments at public events.nationalobserver+4​

Editorial Critique and Commentary

• Some commentators refer to Smith's claims and actions as evidence of "delusions of grandeur," pointing to her pursuit of unusually assertive provincial sovereignty moves, such as promoting the Alberta Sovereignty Act and challenging federal mandates well beyond the constitutional norm.nationalobserver+1​

• Her willingness to entertain topics such as conspiracy theories about "chemtrails" or to claim powers she does not actually possess as premier has been cited as evidence that she indulges her support base's more extravagant beliefs, feeding into political polarization rather than correcting misinformation.macleans+1​

• Opinion pieces have drawn parallels between Smith’s leadership style and that of high-profile populist politicians elsewhere, arguing that her defiant tone is designed to aggrandize both herself and Alberta, even when policy substance may not align with legislative reality.nationalobserver+2​

Policy and Political Context

• Smith is often characterized as taking maximalist stances on provincial autonomy—such as opposing federal emissions targets or promoting Alberta as a distinct "nation within a nation"—which editorialists sometimes describe as overreaching compared to the actual powers of a provincial government.nationalobserver+1​

• Critics allege that her style prioritizes maintaining political loyalty among her rural and populist support base, even at the risk of encouraging misinformation or unrealistic expectations about provincial authority or public policy.thetyee+1​

• Episodes like her response to teachers’ strikes, challenging health system norms, or pushing for expanded rights language in Alberta law are interpreted through this lens of grandiosity by her critics, who argue that these serve more to project strength than to offer viable governance solutions.thehub+1​

Summary

The phrase "delusions of grandeur," when applied to Premier Smith in media and opinion pieces, is a metaphorical critique of her leadership style—contending that she sometimes presents herself and Alberta with a sense of authority, capability, or exceptionalism beyond what is practically or constitutionally grounded. The critique is particularly visible in left-leaning and centrist opinion writing, and is used as shorthand to underscore concerns about political overreach, the encouragement of misinformation, and governance built more on rhetoric than on pragmatic or legal realities.macleans+2​

1. https://www.nationalobserver.com/newsletters/maxed-out/2024/10/01/danielle-smith-doubles-down-delusional
2. https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/12/23/opinion/alberta-nationhood-delusion-danielle-smith
3. https://macleans.ca/politics/unsteady-reign-danielle-smith/
4. https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025/02/03/Danielle-Smith-Delusional-Response-Trump-Tariffs/
5. https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025/10/24/UCP-Throne-Speech-Fantasy-Delusion-Striking-Teachers/
6. https://www.thedailyscrumnews.com/calculated-deception-danielle-smith-wants-alberta-sovereignty-not-separation/
7. https://thehub.ca/2025/10/31/danielle-smith-takes-a-hit-with-teachers-strike-backlash-but-still-has-political-capital-to-burn/
8. https://www.facebook.com/groups/407886918530422/posts/690616076924170/
9. https://ecareview.com/my-standards-are-too-high/
10. https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/beyond-local/quebec-and-alberta-united-in-pushing-back-against-ottawa-premier-danielle-smith-says-11312299
11. https://www.facebook.com/groups/7454589304633521/posts/24857102787288903/
12. https://thegatewayonline.ca/2025/03/danielle-smiths-silence-is-not-leadership/
13. https://www.westernstandard.news/opinion/hannaford-bill-20-means-city-councils-must-stay-in-their-lane-too/54143
14. https://lethbridgeherald.com/commentary/opinions/2022/12/16/danielle-smith-has-laid-out-her-vision-for-a-fiction-called-canada/
15. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/danielle-smith-bill-rights-ucp-leadership-review-analysis-1.7334213
16. https://www.facebook.com/groups/436248180001/posts/10172414528560002/
17. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001493378796492/posts/1050609277218235/
18. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-canada-is-about-to-undergo-an-extreme-stress-test-administered-by-the/
19. https://www.reddit.com/r/alberta/comments/1cgv8og/exploring_perspectives_what_has_danielle_smith/
20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcSdQ5zhJyI