Politics · Canada · 6 hrs ago
Alberta UCP constituency board narrowly calls for review of Smith's leadership
A local United Conservative Party board in Alberta narrowly called for a review of Premier Danielle Smith’s leadership in a 10-9 secret ballot.
The motion came from the Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St.
Paul constituency association, represented by UCP legislator Scott Cyr.
Cyr said he disagrees with the result and wants the party to unite behind Smith ahead of the 2027 provincial election.
Several other constituency groups have also called for a review, while some have declared support for her.
The dispute is linked to separatists who oppose Smith’s support for keeping Alberta in Canada and have sought to remove her as party leader.
In a recent provincial referendum, three-quarters of voters backed staying in Canada, and Smith said there would be no further separation vote while she is premier.
The UCP’s annual meeting is one month away, and Smith was expected to face questions on the issue as the legislature began its fall sitting.
A United Conservative Party constituency board in Alberta narrowly passed a motion calling for a review of Premier Danielle Smith’s leadership.
The Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul constituency association approved the motion 10 votes to nine in a secret ballot on Monday.
UCP backbencher Scott Cyr said he disagreed with the result and urged party members to unite behind Smith.
The vote comes amid tensions over separatism in the party, one month before the UCP’s annual general meeting in Calgary.
Smith’s party has 46 seats in the legislature, while the NDP has 39.
- Who
- The Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul UCP constituency association passed the motion. Backbencher Scott Cyr said he disagreed with the outcome.
- What
- The board narrowly called for a review of Danielle Smith’s leadership, by a 10-to-nine vote.
- When
- The motion passed Monday. Cyr wrote about it in a social media post Tuesday.
- Where
- Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul, Alberta.
- Why
- The sources do not state the board’s reason for calling for a review.
UCP constituency board members who backed the review
Scott Cyr
Leadership review
UCP constituency board members who backed the review
The motion passed, 10 votes to nine, in a secret ballot.
Scott Cyr
Cyr said he disagreed with the outcome and called for members to rally behind Smith.
Party direction
UCP constituency board members who backed the review
Some UCP constituency associations have called for a review of Smith’s leadership.
Scott Cyr
Cyr warned that continued internal division could have consequences as the 2027 election approaches.
About three-quarters of Alberta voters in a provincewide referendum affirmed they wanted Alberta to stay in Canada.
The Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul constituency association passed the leadership review motion by 10 votes to nine.
Cyr said in a social media post that he disagreed with the result and urged support for Smith.
- Vote
- 10-9, in a secret ballot
- Constituency association
- Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul
- UCP backbencher
- Scott Cyr
- Next provincial election
- October 2027
- Legislature seats
- UCP: 46; NDP: 39; Progressive Tory: one
- Annual general meeting
- Calgary, one month away
What people are saying
With the 2027 provincial election approaching, I am concerned about the consequences of continued internal division within the United Conservative Party,