Danielle Smith put a target on her premiership

What's good for Danielle Smith has yet to be good for Albertans.

Alberta’s premier is used to being the centre of attention; whether it’s positive or negative, she thrives on it. She’s been an ‘alternative opinion’ columnist and an official opposition party leader. She betrayed her supporters to join the governing Progressive Conservatives, had her own radio show, became premier, and then she had the opportunity to make a name for herself with the MAGA crowd in the U.S.. She can’t help helping herself, no matter who she has to step on to do it.

She may have gone too far, yet again.

After saying that she thought Pierre Poilievre would be “more in sync” with the “new direction” of the United States on the Trump administration-approved media outlet Breitbart sucked up the oxygen of Mr. Poilievre’s campaign launch, conservatives across the country have been damning her attention-seeking ways, publicly and privately.

Though Ms. Smith attempted to blame “progressive men” for the slight, the call was coming from inside the house. In all likelihood, “progressive men”, women, and everyone in between wanted her to keep talking. She did not disappoint — them, anyway.

She accepted a speaking invitation with more MAGA-affiliated organizations in the U.S., attended the Canada Strong and Free Network event in Ottawa, and had her profile in the New York Times, where she was referred to as “an unapologetic MAGA-aligned conservative”, before finally getting out of the line of fire and heading to Asia for the final week of the campaign.

In her absence, she was caught in yet another lie, missed a damning letter published by a former caucus member, and was targeted by a long-time conservative organizer as the reason he was cancelling his membership in the UCP.

Two truths and a lie

This week, her former Cabinet Minister and recently expelled caucus member, Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Pete Guthrie, released a scathing letter against her leadership and the direction she’s taking the barely eight-year old party.

Unlike the Premier, I don’t have to spin the criticism.

Critique from the opposition is to be expected, and it’s always taken with the appropriate amount of discretion. When someone who was not only trusted enough to be named a cabinet minister but was an enthusiastic supporter of her leadership bid details their disappointment, we all give that criticism far more credence.

Regrettably, under Premier Smith, the UCP has morphed into a party with a number of objectives that I opposed internally and can no long, in good conscience, support. Competent, honest governance has taken a backseat to political maneouverings that jeopardize the best interests of Albertans.

In my opinion, key conservative principles are openness, transparency, good governance, and fiscal responsibility. Yet, these ideals have been abandoned by the Premier in her handling of serious allegations facing the (Ministry) of Health.

Under Premier Smith, the UCP government has increased its operational budget by more than 24 per cent, including a 14 per cent expansion of the GOA (Government of Alberta). This erosion of fiscal discipline — combined with the creation of multiple new Crown corporations — has contributed to a projected deficit of $5.4 billion.

In Alberta, we are quick to criticize the federal government for its unsustainable spending, ballooning debt, and inflationary impact on families and communities. We cannot, in good faith, denounce that approach in Ottawa while turning a blind eye to similar issues here at home.

Finally, it appears the premier may be using the federal election as an opportunity to raise her own national profile — possibly at the expense of the CPC and Pierre Poilievre’s efforts to become Canada’s next Prime Minister. Recent developments in her political agenda raise legitimate questions about her intentions for Alberta’s role within the Canadian Federation, another area where I find myself at odds with her leadership.

Under Premier Smith’s leadership, the identity of the UCP is eroding just as quickly as its commitment to fiscal responsibility, accountable government, and justice.

Honourable Pete Guthrie, April 23, 2025

I don’t throw honorifics around lightly. I may not always agree with the politics but I will always recognize those who act with integrity and Pete Guthrie has shown he earned it — through his action, not just his appointment.

The second higher profile criticism last week came from Cameron Davies. Mr. Davies’ name is more well-known for his role in Jeff Callaway’s campaign, for which he received thousands in fines from Elections Alberta, but he is also a long-time conservative supporter. His public denunciation comes from a different place than Mr. Guthrie’s, but that’s why it’s important on its own.

Mr. Davies, unlike Mr. Guthrie, is in favour of a separation referendum, which is representative of a smaller faction of the UCP, but its strength is in its motivation rather than its numbers.

I supported the merger that formed the UCP because I believed Alberta needed a united, principles, and accountable conservative movement.

What we got instead is a party that preaches conservative values but governs like the very establishment it once vowed to replace.

The UCP has become bloated, dishonest, and corrupted by entitlement. It is addicted to power and allergic to transparency. We are not witnessing leadership — we are witnessing damage control. Backroom deals, gag orders, and purges of internal dissent have replaced open dialogue and democratic decision-making. MLAs are muzzled, caucus is sidelined, staff are silenced and the grassroots members who built this movement have been abandoned.

This government promised fiscal discipline and balanced budgets. Instead, we are staring down a $billion deficit, with an ever-expanding bureaucracy, new layers of political appointees, and more public spending — not less. This is not conservative governance. This is institutional failure.

I will not stand silently while this party slips further into corruption and authoritarianism. Silencing dissent is not strength — it’s cowardice.

To those still within the UCP, it’s time to ask the tough questions. I cannot in good conscience, remain part of a political machine that has so profoundly lost its moral compass and my trust.

I’m out.

Cameron Davies, April 24, 2025

Again, the reason these critiques are notable is not because they differ from what opposition MLAs, or other critics of Ms. Smith have been saying (and they don’t) — it’s because the criticism is coming from people who did, and wanted to continue to support this government and its leadership, but no longer can.

Those were the two truths. The lie was a choice.

During Question Period the week before last, regarding Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Joffe, the Premier had claimed that Dr. Joffe chose not to renew his contract. As it turns out, he resigned just a few days after releasing a public statement on measles. Dr. Joffe has since released a detailed address to the public on the measles outbreak, something he apparently did not have the ability to do as an employee of the United Conservative Party.

Dr. Joffe’s resignation, amidst claims of political pressure on AHS staff, and Ministry of Health staff, and a cover up, simply do not put Danielle Smith, or her leadership, in a good light.

Unfollow the leader

Many have asked how to get rid of Danielle Smith. The first, and easiest way, was to become a member, buy a ticket to the 2024 convention, drive to Red Deer, and vote in the leadership review. It may sound like it wasn’t really that easy, but in comparison to the alternatives it really was.

Now, there are only two options left: either caucus holds a vote of non-confidence in which they obtain a majority level of support for getting rid of the leader or, a recall petition requiring signatures from 40 per cent of the registered electorate is successful; against a conservative Premier… in rural Alberta.

I have more faith in the latter actually being successful than the former and it’s a massive undertaking to succeed with the latter.

With that being said, I happen to have thought this out and it’s not impossible, especially if the CPC loses this election and conservatives understand the role Danielle Smith played in making that happen. She is incapable of understanding that herself; just like when she crossed the floor, I fully expect her to be as astoundingly ignorant of how her actions to benefit herself are viewed by those she let down.

To all those who would be interested in seeing this happen, I just have one thing to say: it cannot, and will not succeed as a partisan opposition effort. It will not succeed without a respected conservative in the riding willing to stand up and offer themselves as a replacement. It will require bi-partisan support to succeed.

Or, enough recognizable conservative supporters start contacting their respective UCP MLAs and demanding they take action.

Those are the only two options.

*insert Dumb and Dumber quote '“so you’re telling me there’s a chance” here*

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