Danielle Smith Mandates Loyalty Pledge Amid UCP Separatist Defiance

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is confronting internal resistance within the United Conservative Party (UCP) after mandating a loyalty pledge for party officials. The pledge requires presidents of the party's 87 riding member groups, as well as candidates and spokespeople, to recognize and abide by the results of an October 19 referendum in which approximately 75 percent of voters opted for Alberta to remain in Canada.

Fifteen constituency association presidents, including Mitch Sylvestre of the Bonnyville-Cold Lake area, issued a letter on Remembrance Day refusing to sign the revised code of conduct. These dissenters, supported by the Alberta Prosperity Project, argue the mandate violates freedom of expression and was unilaterally amended without proper authority. Smith responded that while members may hold private views, those in spokesperson roles must reflect party principles to maintain a team approach necessary for winning the next provincial election.

Smith announced she will personally contact the officials who refused to sign, stating that anyone representing the UCP must want the party to win. This effort follows other measures to purge separatists from the party, including stripping membership from lawyer Jeff Rath and requiring pledges from board candidates at the upcoming annual general meeting in Calgary. Despite the tension, the UCP stated it intends to work with dissenters respectfully rather than pursuing immediate purges.