Almost 6,000 members of Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP) have gathered at Westerner Park in Red Deer for a pivotal Annual General Meeting (AGM), where Premier Danielle Smith faces her first leadership review since taking office nearly two years ago. This two-day event, one of the largest political gatherings in Canada, reflects both the party’s enthusiasm and the high stakes surrounding Smith’s leadership.
Premier Smith, confident and hopeful, shared her excitement about the record-breaking turnout. “The number I’m most excited about is to see if we break 6,000 people,” Smith said. She emphasized that the UCP’s meeting would be “the highest-attended political event in not only Alberta but in the entire country,” pointing to her expectation of robust support among party members.
Smith’s first leadership vote since winning the UCP helm in 2022 will gauge the party’s support for her administration. The last leadership review in 2022 led to former Premier Jason Kenney’s resignation after he received just 51.4% approval. While Smith has not specified a required percentage for her continued leadership, she has stated her goal is “more than last time,” referencing the 54% final ballot approval she received in her initial leadership victory.
The gathering, however, is not solely focused on Smith’s leadership. UCP members are voting on a series of 20 governance and 35 policy resolutions. These proposals touch on a range of issues, from increased investment in wildfire prevention and fire services to banning unions from political donations. Some of the more contentious topics include recognizing only two sexes, limiting transgender medical procedures for minors, and reclassifying carbon dioxide as a nutrient rather than a pollutant.
In her keynote speech, Smith emphasized Alberta’s role as a “job-creating economic juggernaut,” celebrating the province’s achievements in energy, agriculture, and new industries like technology and finance. She presented Alberta as a bastion of conservative values, noting that the UCP’s commitment to “free markets, individual freedom, and personal responsibility” is driving Alberta’s prosperity. Smith further reinforced her government’s stance on limiting federal intervention, highlighting the use of the Alberta Sovereignty Act to push back against federal regulations on energy and emissions.
Smith also focused on specific policy achievements, including healthcare reforms aimed at decentralizing services, expanding parental choice in education, and defending the rights of parents regarding their children’s education and healthcare choices. She underscored her commitment to what she described as “common-sense conservative policies,” positioning Alberta as a “national leader in economic freedom” with one of Canada’s lowest tax regimes.
As leadership voting concludes at 2:00 p.m. today, UCP members must be present in person to cast their ballots, with tickets sold for $400 each. Results are expected by 5:00 p.m. The outcome, however, is unlikely to pose a significant threat to Smith’s leadership, given her high popularity and focus on addressing Albertans’ demands with tangible actions rather than political promises. This vote is anticipated to reinforce her leadership and further solidify the direction of Alberta’s conservative movement under her administration.
The AGM comes at a crucial time for the UCP as it navigates its position in a rapidly evolving political landscape. With eyes on the federal stage, the UCP’s decisions this weekend could shape Alberta’s future and reinforce its stance against federal oversight.