Some members of the United Conservative Party (UCP) are threatening to oust Premier Danielle Smith over her handling of the separatist referendum question. The premier has refused to support a direct question on Alberta independence, which has angered many within her party.
Background of the Dispute
Albertans are set to vote in a referendum in October on whether to stay in Canada or initiate a process for secession. However, separatists like Mitch Sylvestre of the Alberta Prosperity Project and the Stay Free Alberta movement had hoped for a more direct question: whether Alberta should become an independent state. Instead, the government's question focuses on remaining in Canada.
Sylvestre and his legal counsel, Jeff Rath, accuse Smith of ignoring the will of UCP members, many of whom support separation. At the UCP's annual general meeting last year, Rath received strong applause for his stance. Party president Rob Smith has stated that a majority of members would vote for separation, though Premier Smith maintains the party's official position is to remain in Canada.
Plans to Oust the Premier
Rath and Sylvestre are now using internal party mechanisms to challenge Smith's leadership. According to UCP bylaws, a special general meeting must be called if one-quarter of constituency associations (22 out of 87) request it. If the request specifies a leadership review, a vote must be held at the earliest possible time. A simple majority is needed for the leader to survive, but narrow victories can be politically damaging.
“If the party is in favor of this, and the leader of the party doesn't do it, I would suggest that would cause problems,” Sylvestre said.
Current Support Levels
Rath claims to have support from 16 or 17 constituency associations, though this has not been verified. He plans to campaign against Smith and the pro-Canada side in October's vote while also developing an outreach strategy to bolster the independence movement within the UCP.
The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear whether the dissidents will succeed in triggering a leadership review. However, the internal strife highlights deep divisions within the UCP over Alberta's future.
