Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks to party faithful at the United Conservative Party annual general meeting in Calgary, on Nov. 4, 2023.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
Thousands of United Conservative Party members hold the political future of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in their hands this weekend as they cast a vote on whether they believe she is fit to continue to lead the party and the province.
Roughly 6,000 members packed into a Red Deer event centre on Friday to kick off the UCP’s annual general meeting, one of the biggest turnouts ever for a political convention in Canada.
Ms. Smith, in the weeks and months leading up to the leadership review, campaigned on issues directed at the right flank of her party. But it may not be an easy path for the Premier, considering the conservative movement in Alberta has a history of revolting against its leaders.
Her predecessor Jason Kenney stepped down after receiving just 51.4-per-cent support from UCP members. Former Progressive Conservative premiers Alison Redford and Ed Stelmach were both ousted despite receiving stronger endorsements of 77 per cent. Fellow PC premier Ralph Klein also resigned after securing 55-per-cent support.
One continuing thorn in Ms. Smith’s side is Take Back Alberta, a socially conservative movement built on grievances over COVID-19 restrictions. On Friday, the group placed “UCP report cards” on seats in the conference hall that evaluated Ms. Smith’s handling of pandemic-related issues. She was given an F on her work to address government overreach during the pandemic and Ds on her policies regarding vaccine recommendations and mandates.
“Smith’s handling of COVID-related policies has been a disappointment to me and the rest of us who supported her based on promises of freedom, accountability and health care choice,” reads the pamphlet. It also included a quote from Take Back Alberta leader David Parker: “As we head into the UCP AGM, many will need to consider whether she has truly delivered on the commitments that brought us together in the first place.”
Ms. Smith received an overall grade of D.
She told reporters Saturday that she was hoping to get more than about 54 per cent support, which is the level of support she received when she won the party leadership election in 2022.
”You can’t get 100 per cent of support of 100 per cent of members, 100 per cent of the time,” Ms. Smith said.
”I just hope that I’ve managed to gain ground on the last time they had a chance to offer their opinion.”
The Premier took over the reins of the UCP in October, 2022, largely because of support from Take Back Alberta and other right-leaning supporters, who championed her disdain for the federal government and COVID-19 public-health restrictions. The same grievances have dominated provincial priorities under her governance.
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Despite the opposition, some attendees brushed aside concerns that internal party pressures will influence the outcome of the leadership review. Bev Hallett, from the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre constituency, said the report cards are “unconscionable” but said she is confident that members will “see past it.”
“Has she got everything right? No. But I feel blessed to have her at the helm,” said Ms. Hallett, who added that she is particularly supportive of Ms. Smith’s pushback against federal overreach as well as the UCP’s recently announced transgender policies. She does not support the Premier’s 2050 target for a net-zero grid, saying there should be no such target.
If Ms. Smith receives anything below 75-per-cent support, Ms. Hallett said, it would signal that there is a “fox in the hen house.”
Clinton Nearing, from the Camrose constituency, and Dan Harder, from Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, both said they would be happy with any result higher than 50 per cent.
Mr. Harder said there has been some opposition to Ms. Smith from outside groups, including one called the 1905 Committee that has criticized the UCP’s proposed amendments to the Bill of Rights. He said some members may have an emotional response to these criticisms but he is hoping that people vote based on what the party is actually doing.
The UCP kicked off the legislative session on Monday by introducing proposed amendments to the Alberta Bill of Rights, which would reinforce the right for people to choose whether to receive vaccinations or other medical procedures and protect firearms and property liberties.
Then, on Thursday, the UCP announced three bills that would limit access to health care for transgender youth, ban transgender participation in women and girls sports divisions and require consent from parents if their child changes their name or pronouns in school. Critics say the policy package will be the most restrictive in Canada regarding gender, sexuality and identity.
Ms. Smith has also recently pledged that her government will protect free speech by reviewing the power wielded by professional colleges and regulating bodies, such as the Law Society of Alberta.
These policies have drawn ire from the Opposition New Democratic Party, which said the Premier is focusing on fringe issues rather than on the priorities of all Albertans, such as affordability and health care.
Results of the leadership vote will be announced on Saturday evening.
With a report from The Canadian Press