After decisive defeat, Alberta separatists turn their attention to Smith and the UCP
Separatist leader Jeffrey Rath says they’ve built a movement of thousands of committed volunteers and will try to “take ownership” of Alberta’s governing party.
Alberta's separatist movement, bruised from a decisive defeat, now focuses on Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party (UCP). The separatists' referendum for independence garnered only 24.3% support from Alberta voters, with 75.7% opting to remain in Canada. This significant loss marks a setback for the separatists, who had hoped Alberta independence would be realized under Smith's leadership.
Smith, despite officially supporting the remain side, triggered the referendum, leaving her in an awkward position. Jeffrey Rath, a key figure in the separatist movement, vows to push for a special general meeting to remove Smith, asserting that Alberta independence cannot be achieved with her as leader. Support for independence primarily came from within the UCP ranks, with 52% of UCP supporters backing the referendum, compared to 44% wanting to remain in Canada.
Meanwhile, 93% of NDP supporters would vote to stay in Canada. The results further divide the governing party's coalition, with UCP supporters showing less attachment to Canada, with only 39% expressing a strong connection to the country. Smith's decision to put the issue to a vote risks alienating voters and failing to satisfy the separatist faction within her party, as polling suggests Naheed Nenshi's NDP is now within the margin of error with Smith's governing party.
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