Alberta’s separatists lost the referendum on Monday.
By Wednesday, they were fighting with their own premier.
And I’m beginning to think the most interesting part of this story isn’t the referendum anymore.
It’s what happens to Danielle Smith now.
About three-quarters of Albertans voted to remain in Canada rather than begin the process of holding another referendum on separation.
That’s a pretty convincing answer.
But Jeffrey Rath, one of Alberta’s most outspoken separatist activists, doesn’t appear particularly interested in accepting the political consequences.
He wants Smith replaced.
And he’s making some remarkable claims about how she became premier in the first place.
In a television interview, Rath alleged that Smith’s 2022 UCP leadership campaign purchased a Wexit contact list from former separatist organizer Jenny Walker.
He claims those contacts were used to recruit supporters who believed Smith secretly favoured Alberta independence.
Now, that’s a serious allegation.
It has been reported, but I haven’t found independent documentation proving the purchase or the alleged promises. Former Conservative political figure Erika Barootes has also disputed the claim.
So I’m not going to tell you Smith secretly promised to separate Alberta. We don’t have the evidence to establish that.
But here’s what we do know.
Separatists have become an influential force inside the United Conservative Party.
Some helped Smith rise to power. Some hold positions in party organizations. And some are now openly working to remove her.
That’s not speculation. That’s happening.
On Wednesday, Smith told UCP members that anyone who wants to keep actively campaigning for separation should find another political party.
Mitch Sylvestre, a prominent separatist who also serves as a UCP constituency association president, essentially told her no.
He’s staying.
Think about that for a moment.
The premier of Alberta has just told separatists they don’t belong in her governing party if they continue campaigning to break up Canada.
And a separatist party official has publicly rejected her instruction.
Who’s running this outfit?
Smith now insists the UCP is committed to a strong Alberta within a united Canada.
Good.
That’s where the overwhelming majority of Albertans just told her they want to be.
But she has a problem of her own making.
For years, she tried to hold together people who wanted greater provincial autonomy and people who wanted Alberta out of Canada altogether.
Those aren’t the same political objectives.
You can argue for better treatment from Ottawa without wanting to tear up Confederation.
You can fight over pipelines, taxes, equalization and provincial powers while remaining proudly Canadian.
But when members of your governing party are actively campaigning to leave the country, you’ve got a different problem.
And now that the voters have spoken, Smith has to decide whether she’s prepared to confront it.
I find something particularly revealing about the separatists’ reaction.
They didn’t get the result they wanted from Albertans.
So they’re turning their attention to the leadership of the governing party.
Apparently, when the province won’t follow your political agenda, the next best thing is to try to replace the premier.
That’s their democratic right, of course.
But Canadians should understand what’s happening.
The separatist movement hasn’t disappeared because it lost a referendum.
Its activists are now fighting over the political machinery they believe can keep their cause alive.
Smith says she wants them out if they won’t accept the result.
They say they’re staying.
And somewhere in the middle of this mess is a premier who spent years trying to keep both sides happy.
Well, Danielle, Alberta has made its choice.
Now it’s your turn.
The Recap…
Alberta voted overwhelmingly to remain Canadian.
Danielle Smith has told separatists inside her party to stop campaigning for independence or leave.
Some have refused.
The referendum settled what most Albertans want. It didn’t settle who controls the UCP.
The Gut-Punch…
Albertans voted to stay in Canada. Now Danielle Smith has to find out whether her own party is willing to do the same.
Sources:
Global News… After decisive defeat, Alberta separatists turn their attention to Smith and the UCP
The Canadian Press… Smith tells UCP separatists to follow pro-Canada line or find another party
The Deep Dive… Rath alleges Smith used Wexit list in 2022 leadership bid
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations, Canadian stories, and the occasional smart-ass observation about the world we’re living in, you’re in the right place.
Subscribe free and get new stories, insights, and observations delivered directly to your inbox.
No paywall.
No spam.
No nonsense.
Leave anytime with a single click.
I promise not to take it personally.
Are we surprised that a group priding itself on tearing down democracy won’t respect the majority’s will? I’m only surprised Smith didn’t see this coming. One hopes that the majority will look at what’s happening and make sure that known separatists are not represented in the next government elected.
From the sounds of it Smith though she would be the great uniter: the one to keep the conservatives united under the UCP banner but now because of that vanity it’s completely blown up in her face
The way I’m reading the situation is the only way Smith saves herself now is calling an election but even I acknowledge that won’t completely save her either
I hate to say it but I think the Alberta Conservative Party just needs to crumble at this point, maybe try and rebuild it in small pockets like what Guthrie is trying to do but I don’t think it’ll be the same ever again