Alberta Premier Danielle Smith granted security clearance for briefings from CSIS

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office says she has been granted security clearance to receive briefings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith answers questions at a news conference in Calgary, on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s office says she has been granted security clearance to receive briefings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

Smith’s office is providing few details but says the clearance allows her to be briefed on national security issues.

The premier said last month she was seeking higher security clearance so she could be aware of any foreign interference attempts going on in Alberta.

Smith has also said she was concerned the RCMP wasn’t briefing her government.

It comes after a report this week stated some foreign actors are increasingly generating content riddled with disinformation about Alberta’s separatist movement.

Alberta Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis says he, too, is applying for higher security clearance from CSIS.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2026.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press