Alberta's United Conservative Party stands at a critical crossroads this weekend as members convene in Edmonton to determine the party's stance on separatism, a decision that could fundamentally reshape the province's political landscape.
Battle Lines Drawn Over Independence
The annual general meeting, taking place in Edmonton on November 27-28, 2025, has become ground zero for an internal struggle between party unity advocates and those pushing for Alberta independence. Behind-the-scenes campaigning has intensified, with competing candidate lists circulating among members.
Social media platforms like Twitter have become battlegrounds, where lists supporting independence candidates are being promoted, while alternative lists backing party unity are being shared through more private channels.
Leadership's Unity Efforts Meet Tepid Response
Premier Danielle Smith attempted to bolster the case for party unity by highlighting her recent pipeline agreement with Mark Carney during her Friday afternoon address to party members. However, reports indicate the announcement received only lukewarm applause from the audience, suggesting the premier's influence may be limited in this internal party conflict.
The election of a new UCP board won't immediately trigger cabinet changes, but a successful separatist takeover could create significant future challenges. The direction of candidate selection and election campaign priorities could shift dramatically, potentially screening out candidates based on their independence stance.
Contrasting Leadership Visions
Current board president Rob Smith, running for re-election, acknowledges the divided opinions within the party on separation. He advocates allowing grassroots independence campaigns to proceed organically, promising to act only if a clear majority of Albertans express support. Despite not being explicitly anti-independence, he has positioned himself as the unity candidate.
His opponent, Darrell Komick, presents a starkly different approach. As a constituency president, Komick actively organized secession town halls to promote independence. While he claims to want open conversation within the party, his one-sided town halls have left little room for genuine debate on the issue.
Potential Consequences for Alberta Politics
Alberta separatist leader Jeff Rath has openly expressed hope for a board that is completely committed to independence. However, stoking the independence flames presents significant long-term dangers for the UCP.
Making separation a central election issue could drive away moderate UCP supporters and potentially hand victory to the New Democrats in future elections. Conversely, failing to adequately address separatist concerns could alienate that faction and risk splitting the party—another outcome that would benefit the NDP.
The weekend's decisions will determine whether the UCP maintains its broad coalition or shifts toward a more narrowly focused independence agenda, with profound implications for Alberta's political future.
