Party Platform
Formed on July 22, 2017, the United Conservative Party of Alberta was elected to government by Albertans on April 16, 2019, and re-elected on May 29, 2023, with a mandate to stand up for Albertans and make Alberta as strong and free as it can be.
1. Alberta Autonomy and Sovereignty
Smith's government has prioritized asserting Alberta's autonomy within Canada. The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act empowers the province to resist federal laws deemed harmful to Alberta's interests. Additionally, proposed legislation would lower the threshold for citizen-led referendums on separation, requiring signatures from 10% of eligible voters within 120 days. While Smith personally opposes secession, she supports the democratic right of Albertans to decide their future .
2. Economic Growth and Energy Development
The UCP focuses on reducing taxes and promoting the energy sector. Initiatives include lowering the corporate tax rate from 12% to 8% and introducing a new 8% personal income tax bracket for the first $60,000 of income. The party opposes the federal carbon tax and supports carbon capture technologies to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 without compromising the oil and gas industry .
3. Social Policy and Parental Rights
Smith's administration has enacted legislation emphasizing parental rights in education and healthcare. Laws now require parental consent for students under 16 to change their gender pronouns at school and ban gender-affirming medical treatments for minors. These measures have been controversial and are part of broader debates on LGBTQ+ rights in the province.
News
Danielle Smith
Party: Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta
Education: BA in Economics and English from the University of Calgary
Work Experience: Journalist, talk show host, Wildrose Party leader, and property rights advocate
Biography
Danielle Smith became Alberta's premier in October 2022 after winning the United Conservative Party leadership race. Smith’s political career began with the Alberta Wildrose Party, where she served as the leader before it merged with the Progressive Conservative Party. Before entering politics, she had a long career in media as a journalist and political commentator. She has also worked in property rights advocacy and served as the director of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.