United Conservative constituency associations aren’t calling for Danielle Smith’s head yet, the party’s president says. Rob Smith says his understanding is they remain behind Alberta’s premier. Recently, the Stay Free Alberta independence movement saw its referendum question on the province separating deemed illegal by the courts. In its place, the provincial government will pose a version of Forever Canadian’s referendum question. It won’t be binding, but Danielle Smith says she’ll use it as “a gauge” of Albertans’ overall appetite to stay or go. She says she’ll respect the outcome and take it where it needs to go after, including chasing something more binding. Rob Smith says the premier “is giving Albertans the opportunity to speak.” “It’s really good the premier has actually called for a question on independence for our referendum in the fall,” the party president said. “Had there been nothing at all, that would have been very disappointing for a significant number of our United Conservative Party members.” Friday, CTV News Calgary reached out to all 87 United Conservative constituency associations asking for their thoughts on the matter. Several responses were received. Brian Smith, Calgary-Acadia Constituency Association president, says his group “has always supported and will continue to support” the premier. “As far as we are concerned, there is no doubt having her at the helm will ensure Alberta remains strong and free,” he said. Sheila Phimester, Edmonton-Whitemud Constituency Association president, says of her group, “We support our premier.” Jared Stein, Calgary-Peigan Constituency Association president, says his group “has a very positive outlook on our premier and Alberta’s future.” Vince Byfield, Edmonton-Southwest Constituency Association president, says he’s hesitant to speak for his group without a survey or vote. But he’ll speak for himself, and he says he also supports his premier. “Given the significance of the issue, I believe the premier is taking the responsible approach in allowing democratic discussion to occur while maintaining stability and order,” he said. Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul Constituency Association president Mitch Sylvestre, also the leader of the Alberta separatist movement, is among those who did not reply. ‘This gets decided by Albertans’ Stay Free Alberta’s Jeffrey Rath says “the numbers” suggest the premier will “be on thin ice” if confidence in her is put to a vote. And he says he believes the UCP’s website “will crash again from all the people buying memberships” to sway that. “I think there’s lots of time between now and October to have a special general meeting and have Danielle defend her premiership,” he told CTV News. He also says 16 or 17 constituency associations are organizing to call that special general meeting and that he’s hopeful for more. Danielle Smith, asked about fear for her job if separatists within the party come calling for it, says she’s “much more interested in what Albertans as a whole have to say.” “When you’re the party leader, yes, that’s one aspect, but you also have to govern for all the people,” she said. “This doesn’t get decided on an AGM convention floor by a few thousand delegates; this gets decided by Albertans.” Rob Smith says he doesn’t see it happening. He says it would take a quarter of the 87 constituency associations pushing for a special general meeting. “As of right now, I haven’t received anything from any of them,” he said. Jason Kenney, Alberta’s previous premier, suffered a very close confidence vote several months ahead of schedule, in May 2022. He survived with 51.4 per cent support and announced his resignation that same evening.
