Wab Kinew risks alienating Canadians over Indigenous veto in Alberta referendum process
If you support overriding the will of 700,000 Canadians — who have signed petitions on both sides calling for a referendum — in the name of Indigenous rights, there’s a good chance that your movement will begin taking on water.
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Article by Rebel News staff
Tonight on The Ezra Levant Show, Ezra shares his thoughts on Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.
It’s pretty common for social movements to score a victory — and then push things too far.
For the LGBTQ+ movement, that turning point came after victories on gay marriage, gay adoption and Pride Month, before moving on to the much less popular frontier of transgenderism. Now, support for the movement is declining. They just don't know when to quit.
In Canada, the local movement that has gone too far is that of Indigenous rights. While most Canadians believe, to some degree, that we have a moral obligation to address the social ills and dysfunction affecting Indigenous communities — at the very least because they are Canadians, and our citizens should come first — it’s fair to say the truth and reconciliation movement has overplayed its hand. We can see this most clearly in British Columbia, where land acknowledgments went from a feel-good way to show respect to First Nations to literally giving them the land back.
Recent cases in British Columbia have raised doubts about whether homeowners in Canada can actually count on owning their land. For many people, their home is their only investment. And now Canadians who've done nothing wrong to indigenous people are at risk of losing their homes to people who have had nothing wrong done to them.
Now consider Wab Kinew, the first First Nations premier in Canadian history. In some ways, he's wonderful; he's got that big smile, a jovial personality, and he says he loves Canada. Early in the trade dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump, Kinew responded to Trump’s taunts by saying, “We’ll never be your 51st state, but we’ll be your number one best friend.”
He's likable, and for a time, Ezra couldn't help but think he would be an important part of real reconciliation in Canada.
But, as it turns out, there is another side to him.
The other day, the premiers of the western provinces gathered, and one of the issues raised was Alberta’s referendum debate. Danielle Smith was asked about the court ruling.
Premier Smith explains her view that a judge's decision to block an independence petition for failing to consult with First Nations groups is "anti-democratic" before Premier Kinew jumps in to reprimand her, saying her belief is wrong. pic.twitter.com/7uRzoG4mwI
— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) May 26, 2026
Smith handled the question professionally, but Kinew used the opportunity to try to correct and embarrass her over the issue of Indigenous consultation in the process.
At the end of the day, if you support overriding the will of 700,000 Canadians — who have signed petitions on both sides calling for a referendum — in the name of Indigenous rights, there’s a good chance that your movement will begin taking on water in the same way the LGBTQ+ movement has over transgender issues.
For Ezra, Wab Kinew remains a difficult figure to pin down. He likes that Kinew is premier, but dislikes the fact that he’s an NDP socialist with an occasional childish streak. At the same time, Ezra still hopes Kinew will seize the opportunity to become a genuine healer of racial divisions in Canada.
Barack Obama had a similar opportunity, but squandered it by embracing the radical ideology of Black Lives Matter.
Wab Kinew might do the same thing if he continues to endorse Indigenous vetoes over the democratic process.
GUEST: Franco Terrazzano, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, to discuss Mark Carney's exorbitant in-flight menu.
COMMENTS
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Angela Watt commented 2026-05-28 18:10:36 -0400Why aren’t Canadians making Carney understand that he’s totally useless & incompetent? -
Angela Watt commented 2026-05-28 18:08:37 -0400Someone is pocketing the money! Who?
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Angela Watt commented 2026-05-28 18:06:01 -0400How about the airline is over charging because they know it’ll be paid by government. If it was an individual, they’d reject those amounts completely unless they are exceedingly rich.
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Angela Watt commented 2026-05-28 18:01:00 -0400Carney doesn’t have an invested interest in Canada. That’s why, everything he’s doing is under the WEF & the UN and he’ll do everything he can to ensure Canada goes downhill so that he is the one as well as his company will benefit. China anyone? (will have the rights to take our O&G and minerals). You watch. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, not next year, I’m thinking within the next 5 to 10 years, Canada will not be recognizable. I truly hope I’m 6 feet under so I don’t have to see what is happening to our beautiful country.
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Angela Watt commented 2026-05-28 17:50:19 -0400I wanted to sign but wherever the signing was taking place, I couldn’t get there. Why is it that it’s ok for Quebec to hold referendums but Alberta isn’t? Alberta is the golden goose which is why they’re doubling down on Alberta.
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Angela Watt commented 2026-05-28 17:39:32 -0400There is NOTHING to consult. Nothing has been done. The referendum hasn’t been held. What are we consulting on?
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David Heinze commented 2026-05-28 14:58:19 -0400In response to Premier Smith’s referendum to have a referendum. There are a few videos circulation on X, where Keith Wilson explains why this is actually good. Mainly because it may avoid us being tied up in the courts for years while we go through the different levels and also, it will give us more time to sell Independence, not to mention more time for Carney and company to inadvertently make us madder and make our case. We have already seen one post of a fence sitter saying that after Kinew’s comments they are now for independence.
No one can make the case as well as Keith, certainly not me, so here is a link to his original 8 minute YouTube on the topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzq_8mRXyrY&t=3s -
Dale Block commented 2026-05-28 07:16:59 -0400Zero respect for One Canoe, Indian leading the NDP what could possibly go wrong. Manitoba has joined BC & Ont. in the race to the bottom. Canoe just lowered the bar to a new level. -
Jane Vandervliet commented 2026-05-27 21:41:15 -0400“It’s really gross.” is Ezra’s anthem for Canada these days. He is right which is anger making. Canada is becoming really gross.
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Bruce Atchison commented 2026-05-27 21:18:58 -0400I’m so tired of indigenous this and indigenous that. Sure it’s good to reconcile but the activists, who don’t represent all First Nations people, have made it a weapon against Canadians of all ethnic backgrounds. Plus wacko Wab ought to be glad Canada’s government didn’t take the same path the American government did in the 1860s.
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Don Hrehirchek commented 2026-05-27 20:24:27 -0400I sense a little partiality on W. K stance. Nah I must be wrong.
