SUNDRE, Alta. – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is calling on separatists who want to represent the governing United Conservative Party to respect the results of Monday’s referendum, as divisions over the province’s future threaten party unity.
“I’m asking people to do some self-reflection, and if they are able to accept the results and the mandate that Albertans gave us through a free and democratic process, then we can have a reset,” Smith said. “Those who cannot, they have opportunities through other political parties.”
Roughly three-quarters of Albertans voted against pursuing the constitutional process toward a future binding referendum on separation from Canada.
Smith emphasized that the UCP is a federalist party and that her expectations apply to those seeking official positions within it, rather than ordinary members who may hold differing personal views.
While the provincewide result delivered a decisive rejection of the proposal, support for the separation option remained strong in some rural areas.
In the electoral division of Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, the option to pursue a future separation referendum narrowly won, receiving approximately 51 per cent of the vote.
But the premier’s position is drawing criticism from at least one prominent independence advocate.
Jeffrey Rath is calling for Smith to resign and face a leadership review, accusing her of alienating supporters of Alberta independence.
“She’s not going to unite people that are in favour of independence by bullying us into submission, by telling us that we’re free to leave the party, that we have a choice to make,” Rath said.
Rath is also encouraging supporters of independence to attend the UCP’s annual general meeting, where party members will have an opportunity to influence its future direction.
The dispute highlights the challenge facing Smith as she attempts to maintain unity within a party whose members hold sharply different views on Alberta’s relationship with Canada.
Lori Williams, an associate professor of policy studies at Mount Royal University, said those divisions could prove difficult to overcome.
“It’s a tough party to bring together. There are deep and profound differences between and amongst the members of the party, and they are struggling for control,” Williams said.
In Sundre, one resident who declined to give his name said it’s time for Albertans to move forward.
“We called out for an election against the government, really. And people voted. And now we have to respect democracy,” he said.
Theresa Motil-Frost, who voted to remain in Canada, acknowledged the difficult position facing Smith.
“I think she’s trying to do her best. But I think she’s under a lot of crunch,” Motil-Frost said.
The UCP’s annual general meeting is scheduled for November.
