Alberta premier wins standoff with party over position on provincial separation vote

Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, joins BNN Bloomberg to discuss the potential of an oil pipeline to the West Coast and the Western Premiers' Conference.

A standoff between Premier Danielle Smith and her own United Conservative Party on the issue of separation is over — and the premier has won.

Premier Smith and party president Rob Smith had been at odds over where they stand on Alberta staying in Canada ahead of a fall referendum on the matter.

The premier says she wants Alberta to stay in Confederation, while the party president, who is not related to premier, said this week the party would not take a stand one way or the other leading up to the vote.

Earlier today, Smith told QR Calgary and 880 CHED that when it comes to the United Conservatives her word is the last word and that the party’s position is it wants Alberta to stay in Canada.

The party issued a new statement after the premier spoke, saying it supports Alberta staying in Canada, adding it has always supported Alberta staying in Canada.

Critics of Smith say she called the Oct. 19 referendum not to give Albertans a voice — as she has claims — but instead to appease influential hardline separatists in her party in order to keep her job.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2026.

Jack Farrell and Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press