In a significant political shift that has sent ripples across the province, pro-independence officers now hold the balance of power on the newly elected board of Alberta's United Conservative Party. This dramatic change follows the party's Annual General Meeting held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at the Edmonton Expo Centre, which saw the largest electoral turnout in the party's history.
A Divided Party, A Decisive Vote
The atmosphere was charged as approximately 4,500 UCP members participated in the democratic process, navigating what was described as a cattle chute to cast their votes. The event became a battleground for two distinct visions for Alberta's future, with volunteers from competing camps handing out contrasting voter guide cards.
On one side, the Alberta Prosperity Project-supported slate of pro-independence candidates made substantial gains. Their voter card, bearing the declaration "These people work for us!", successfully propelled five of its nine endorsed candidates to victory. The newly elected pro-independence officers include Samantha Steinke as Vice President of Communications, Helen Holder as Vice President of Fundraising, Vicki Kozmak-LeFrense representing the North, Al Biel for the Central region, and Irma Roberts from Calgary.
The Competing Visions for Alberta
The pro-independence card included a disclaimer stating that inclusion was based solely on public statements supporting Alberta sovereignty and grassroots values, while describing the opposing SAFE (Strengthening Alberta's Future Economy) slate as "pro-establishment."
Despite the separatist surge, the SAFE camp secured several key victories. Incumbent president Rob Smith won a second term after Saturday's vote, leading the slate dedicated to building a stronger Alberta that thrives on national and international stages. Other SAFE victors include Stacy Vanderveen as Secretary and Ed Vandenberg representing the South region.
The election for the Edmonton region resulted in a win for Abi Johnson, who did not appear on either the SAFE or pro-independence cards, representing a potential independent voice on the divided board.
What This Means for Alberta's Political Future
During brief speeches at the podium, pro-independence presidential candidate Darrell Komick positioned himself as being on a mercy mission to unite the party, stating he represented "a large group of people whose voice hasn't been heard." He directed electors to watch Injection of Truth episodes and claimed to know how to make the UCP victorious in Edmonton in the next election, pointing to narrow margins in Edmonton and Calgary in the last provincial vote.
This board election outcome signals a potentially transformative period for the United Conservative Party and Alberta politics broadly. With pro-independence voices now commanding majority influence within the party's governing body, debates about Alberta's place in Canada and calls for a sovereignty referendum are likely to intensify, setting the stage for significant political battles in the coming months.
