Smith tells Alberta separatists to move on or leave her party

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 22, 2026

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith urged separatist members of her United Conservative Party to accept the referendum’s clear rejection of a second separation vote or leave the party, warning that internal divisions could harm their prospects in the upcoming provincial election. This stance signals Smith’s effort to unify the party around maintaining Alberta’s place in Canada while focusing on increasing provincial autonomy rather than pursuing independence.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has called on separatist members within her United Conservative Party (UCP) to accept the outcome of Monday’s referendum and align with the party’s stance or consider leaving, warning that internal divisions could jeopardize the party’s chances in the upcoming provincial election. The referendum saw roughly 75 percent of voters reject the idea of a second binding vote on Alberta’s potential separation from Canada.

In a video posted to social media on Wednesday, Smith emphasized the importance of unity within the conservative movement in Alberta. She cautioned that ongoing debates over separation would play into the hands of the ruling Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) in the general election slated for next October. “As a party, we cannot permit the next year to be one of internal division and endless debates about separation, when Albertans have spoken so clearly against it,” she said.

Smith’s statement comes after months of uncertainty within the UCP, which contains a significant faction supportive of Alberta’s independence. The premier, who first proposed the referendum in May following a separatist petition that was blocked legally, underscored that the UCP is fundamentally committed to maintaining Alberta as part of Canada. “The United Conservative Party is not an independence party,” she said.

While Smith reaffirmed her pledge not to pursue another separation referendum during her tenure, she has highlighted efforts to increase provincial autonomy from the federal government as an alternative path to addressing regional grievances. However, she did not specify what disciplinary actions or policy measures she might pursue to discourage separatist sentiment within her party.

“For those few who cannot reconcile this fact and remain intent on dividing and turning our party into a vehicle for the independence movement, I would respectfully invite them to join a different party,” Smith added.

The referendum’s decisive result marks a setback for the separatist movement in Alberta, which has gained some traction amidst frustrations with federal policies and economic challenges. Nonetheless, the issue remains a source of tension within the UCP, testing Premier Smith’s ability to balance competing views ahead of next year’s election.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.