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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she plans to personally contact United Conservative Party officials who are refusing to sign a new anti-separatism pledge. Smith confirmed the move on Friday, framing it as a matter of party unity ahead of next year’s provincial election.
The Pledge and What It Requires
The UCP’s executive director asked all 87 constituency association presidents to sign a new code of conduct by the end of Friday. The pledge requires signatories to publicly respect the outcome of last month’s referendum. In that vote, Albertans rejected holding a binding separation vote.
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Smith says the pledge is not about limiting free speech. Instead, she says it is about ensuring the party works together as a team heading into the next election campaign.
Fifteen Officials Push Back
However, 15 constituency association presidents are refusing to comply. In a joint letter, they argue the requirement punishes them for exercising free speech. Their refusal represents a clear challenge to Smith’s authority within the party.
CBC News first reported the details of the pledge request and the group’s resistance. The 15 officials have made their opposition formal by putting their objections in writing.
Smith’s Next Steps
Smith confirmed she will speak directly with those who refuse to sign. However, she did not say whether they would face removal from their roles as a result. The situation puts her in a delicate position as she tries to maintain party discipline while managing internal dissent.
The anti-separatism pledge comes at a sensitive time for Alberta politics. Separatist sentiment has grown louder in parts of the province in recent months. Smith has consistently opposed separation while also pushing for greater provincial autonomy within Canada. The outcome of her conversations with the holdouts could shape the UCP’s internal stability in the months ahead.
