Poilievre against separatism but says Alberta has right to be frustrated [Video]

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he opposes Alberta separatism but added that Albertans have a “right to be frustrated” with Ottawa.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday shortly after Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his new federal cabinet, Poilievre was asked whether he was willing to “publicly denounce Alberta separatism and the Alberta separatist movement.”

“I’m against separation. I’m a born and raised Albertan. I love Canada. I think we need to unite this country,” he said.

“Albertans have a lot of legitimate grievances. I mean, let’s be blunt.”

Poilievre, who lost his long-held riding of Carleton in last month’s federal election, will be running again in Battle River—Crowfoot in Alberta in an upcoming byelection after party MP Damien Kurek announced his intention to resign the seat to get Poilievre into the House of Commons.

Poilievre said Alberta’s oil and gas industry had been “under attack” for the last decade.

“They’ve lost two major pipelines, [and] …