The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, May 9, edition that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith reported significant progress in reaching agreement with Prime Minister Mark Carney regarding a carbon pricing and pipeline deal. The Globe's Marieke Walsh and Stephanie Levitz write that the leaders previously signed a memorandum of understanding last November to outline plans for an oil pipeline from Alberta to the West Coast, aiming to improve their strained relationship over the treatment of the oil and gas sector by Ottawa. Mr. Carney has promised to unlock Alberta's resources in his campaign against separation, with a petition nearing a referendum this fall. Ms. Smith's optimism coincides with the Iran war and the United States trade war, which have unsettled energy markets and increased the urgency for oil and gas infrastructure to expand exports. Separatist activists in Alberta argue that past Liberal policies on oil and gas stifled provincial growth and autonomy. Ms. Smith noted that while things have improved since the Trudeau Liberal years, challenges remain. The number of people who doubt a pipeline will ever be built is rising in tandem with the number of people who support independence, she said Friday.