Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s new energy accord with Ottawa faces fierce skepticism from her UCP base ahead of the party’s 2025 convention.
Smith’s Ottawa Deal Faces Pushback from UCP Base
Political Timing Sets the Stage
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to sign a memorandum of understanding with Prime Minister Mark Carney today, a move pitched as progress on energy development. The signing lands days before the United Conservative Party’s annual general meeting in Calgary, raising questions about whether the timing is designed to shore up internal support.
Concerns Emerge from Within the Party
While Smith has framed the accord as a step toward securing long-sought pipeline commitments, key grassroots activists appear unconvinced. Many members attending the upcoming AGM lean toward a hardline stance against federal involvement, and several argue that another federal-provincial agreement falls short of their expectations.
Grassroots Pressure Mounts
Ranchers, local organizers, and long-time UCP activists say their priorities now extend beyond pipelines. Their expectations include sweeping autonomy measures—Alberta’s own pension plan, a provincial police force, and significant changes to equalization. For a sizable faction, independence from Canada remains their ultimate goal.
Separatist Bloc Gains Influence
Among the most vocal critics is Mitch Sylvestre, a leading figure in Alberta’s separatist movement and a prominent UCP constituency president. He argues the new Alberta-Ottawa memorandum offers no guarantees on energy approvals or regulatory relief, dismissing it as symbolic rather than substantive.
Referendums on the Horizon
Smith’s government has been reviewing feedback from its Alberta Next panels, where party members called for a series of referendums on federal-provincial issues. The premier has suggested that those votes could be held next spring, but convention delegates are expected to press her for firmer timelines and clearer commitments this weekend.
Internal Elections Add Fuel
The AGM also features a pivotal vote for party president. Current president Rob Smith has cautioned against formal debates on independence, arguing they risk fracturing the party. His challenger, Darrell Komick, has leaned into separatist sentiment, positioning himself as the candidate aligned with the party’s grassroots insurgency.
A Delicate Balancing Act Ahead
As Smith celebrates today’s pipeline-focused agreement with the federal government, she faces a contrasting reality: a convention hall filled with members who are deeply skeptical of Ottawa and increasingly impatient with incremental progress. The premier enters the weekend navigating a widening gap between governing pragmatism and the political expectations of her party’s most energized supporters.
