Alberta Premier Danielle Smith faced a test of her leadership on Saturday at the United Conservative Party’s annual general meeting. She passed with flying colours.
Smith received 91.5 per cent approval from UCP members at the party’s AGM in Red Deer, which was attended by roughly 6,000 people.
“What a movement we’ve created together, what a province we are building together,” Smith told a packed conference hall. “In this room is the very heartbeat of the strong, free, independent West.”
“Anytime you’re [above 90], that’s a pretty strong endorsement,” said Duane Bratt, a professor of political science at Mount Royal University. “And given the history of leadership reviews for conservative leaders in Alberta, that’s a remarkable number.”
The event was Smith’s first major internal review since she secured the party leadership in 2022. At the time, Smith secured a narrow 54 to 46 advantage on the sixth and final ballot against runner-up Travis Toews.
Still, Smith’s strong endorsement does not guarantee she will proceed to legislate as conservatively as many UCP members may hope. She will need to turn her attention to securing the support of the general population, some political experts say.
An unapologetic West
In her keynote, Smith offered a triumphant overview of her premiership’s economic achievements and a call for unity as the province faces challenges from the Trudeau government.
Protecting Alberta’s energy sector — particularly from regulatory incursions by Ottawa — was a recurring theme throughout Saturday’s marquee address.
“They have done all they can to cripple our oil and gas and agriculture sectors,” said Smith. “Alberta’s economy is booming and we aren’t slowing down for any Liberals or New Democrats in Ottawa or any New Democrats here in Alberta for that matter.”
Each sentence was interrupted by rounds of applause.
“We will build new pipelines, oil and gas facilities, petrochemical plants, hydrogen plants and more because Alberta is an energy superpower, and that’s another thing we will not apologize for either,” said Smith.
“[W]e are not phasing out any of our oil and gas industry. In fact, we’re going to unapologetically double our oil and gas production,” she said.
Greenlighting resolutions
Part of the AGM’s agenda included considering the 35 policy resolutions proposed by the party’s various constituency associations.
All 35 resolutions were passed by the UCP membership. These included resolutions to enhance parental rights, eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the Alberta public service, and abandon “net-zero” climate targets.
While non-binding in nature, these resolutions are meant to inform the government’s agenda by providing clear input on UCP members’ priorities — priorities Smith indicated she takes seriously.
“Let us remain united as a party and as a movement, advocate loudly through our party policy process and our constituency associations and hold accountable our MLAs — most especially me — to keep us on track,” said Smith, prior to the resolution votes.
The overwhelming support for the resolutions, including those affecting education and transgender policies, reveals a membership invested in traditional values.
Despite the decisive mandate, however, Smith may now feel more free to moderate her stance to appeal to the province’s centrist voters.
“With a 91.5 per cent mandate it’s difficult to see how there is any pressure to legislate on issues that may not be popular with the general public,” said UCP member and political consultant Cameron Davies. “Approval is based on past performance, not future expectations.”
Bratt, of Mount Royal University, says it remains unclear whether the premier will tack left or right.
“Does Smith pivot back to a more centrist policy as she did in the May 2023 election, or does she continue to pound these policies and try to convince the wide swath of Albertans that they’re the right things to do? I think that’s the challenge facing Smith now.
“She’s clearly jumped over one hurdle and now she’s walking into another.”
Friction in the ranks
While Smith has established a firm grip on the party, there remains a contingent who feels the premier has failed to deliver on some key conservative promises.
“There are certain things that have gone in the absolute wrong direction,” said Wyatt Claypool, a party member who voted against Smith in the review. “Spending is up. There are eight different taxes that have been raised.”
“I think people like that Smith effectively is a winner. Everyone likes a winner,” said Claypool, while emphasizing the need for conservatives to “hold [the Conservative] side to account.”
Claypool cites immigration and provincial finances as two areas of particular concern.
In the general election campaign, Smith said she would cut personal income taxes by creating a new tax bracket on annual income up to $60,000 and lowering the applicable rate from 10 per cent to 8 per cent.
“There’s disappointment about where the tax cut is, said Bratt. “This was the centerpiece of her May 2023 election campaign, and she hasn’t delivered on that.”
Claypool says there is a risk of the UCP becoming too self-assured following this weekend’s vote. The party risks becoming complacent about fiscal matters — a policy area that tangibly affects the daily lives of regular Albertans.
“The average voter in Alberta, if they don’t get a tax cut in the next couple of years, they’re going to think, ‘You know, well, who cares about how good the vibes are inside the UCP AGMs with Danielle Smith when they don’t seem to be doing the things that actually affect me?’”
“As a UCP member, I have voiced concerns primarily on fiscal policy,” echoed political consultant Davies. “We could probably do more.”
Still, to Davies, the party remains worthy of support: “[I]f an election were held today, I would unreservedly vote UCP.”
Leave a comment