Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the governing United Conservative Party remains federalist as separatists organize against her following Monday’s referendum defeat.
Smith told reporters Wednesday she’s accepted the results of the referendum and expects her party members to do the same.
“I’m asking people to do some self-reflection and, if they are able to accept the results and the mandate that Albertans gave us through a free and democratic process, then we can have a reset,” she said.
“Those who cannot, they have opportunities through other political parties.”
The outcome of the referendum‘s separatism question mirrored more than half a year of polling, which consistently showed since the beginning of the year that about 70 per cent of Albertans wanted the province to remain in Canada.
When it came time to vote, Albertans rejected moving toward separation by roughly 75 per cent, unofficial results show.
It was a debate Smith said was many years in the making, as Albertans have struggled to address many long-standing and legitimate grievances with Ottawa.
Smith indicated in an address Tuesday the question of independence has been put to bed. Her message was one of unity and moving forward.
However, organized separatists within the UCP are continuing to challenge her leadership.
Separatists push to remove Smith
Jeffrey Rath, one of the central figures in the separatist movement who had a hand in former premier Jason Kenney’s ouster, told Global News he will be pushing for a special general meeting of the party to remove Smith as leader.
She told reporters Wednesday the UCP has been a “federalist party” since its founding and is “committed to the loyalty to Canada but will work for constitutional sovereignty within that framework.”
Get daily National news
Smith said support for citizen-initiated referendums remains consistent with the party’s principles, but argued members must accept the outcomes of those votes.
“In my view, democracy means that when you get a very clear answer like this, you respect what Albertans have told you and that’s what I’m going to do,” she said.
“I’m asking all of those who speak for our party in a formal position to do the same.”
She also released a video on X aimed at UCP members, urging unity ahead of a provincial election next year.
“United, our party will win. Divided the NDP wins and all Albertans would suffer as a result,” she said in a post accompanying the video.
“The time for division is over. The time to unite and fight for a stronger Alberta and Canada is now.”
What happens to the other referendum questions?
-
![]()
Alberta referendum results show decisive support for staying in Canada -
![]()
Danielle Smith calls for unity as Alberta separatists challenge her leadership -
![]()
Alberta referendum: Separatist leader Jeff Rath says province will never be independent as long as ‘avowed federalist’ Danielle Smith is UCP leader -
![]()
One-on-one with Vancouver Mayor-elect Pete Fry
The referendum included nine other questions, and unofficial data showed the “yes” side leading on eight, including all five on immigration. Four questions concerned potential constitutional changes.
The questions asked if Alberta should have more say on who comes to the province to work, and whether it’s time to put more limitations — or even fees — on some who seek access to health care and education.
The constitutional questions asked whether the province should pursue constitutional negotiations with other governments on gaining control from Ottawa and abolishing the Senate.
“Albertans want us to address these issues, and we’ll do so over the coming months and years,” Smith said Wednesday.
“Nothing imminent in the fall session, but we’ll certainly have more to say in the spring session.”
Carney urges ‘common solutions’
Prime Minister Mark Carney said he favours pursuing pragmatic “common solutions” with the provinces on issues under federal jurisdiction.
When speaking to reporters as he welcomed the rejection of separation, Carney said pursuing constitutional changes can be a difficult, drawn-out process.
Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said Tuesday the Liberals allowed immigration to run “totally out of control” and he supports provinces being able to set their own levels.
The prime minister said disputes in areas like immigration can be resolved without constitutional amendments, adding his government has moved to bring immigration back under control.
— with files from Karen Bartko
Ben is an AI chatbot with an AI cucumber in its AI azz
Well of course I do.what man wouldn’t.! They are two sexy men ! My booty is open anytime!
Ben wants a threesome with fat nenshit and clownshoes carny
Ben is an AI chatbot, don’t be fooled people
It’s only necessary to negatively comment on a politicians weight, looks, etc. when you lack the intellectual capacity to make an arguement and have the maturity of a child.
Vote for nenshi and every voter can make him look like a glazed donut from ball cream
To all you REAL ALBERTANS that voted to leave, don’t be a stranger, come down to USA we’ll teach you how to tear down, put together and use assault rifles
You know how these mouthbreathers can still get their separation? They can jump on a plane, boat or vehicle and leave. Don’t come back and don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.
@744pm, not every boomer is livin da life, haves and have nots like every generation, why do you see boomers in 70s and 80s still working to survive?
Yup. Her and Rene Levesque.
NDP is the way to go folks.
The other firecrackers are only in it for their scams.
Ha ha ha.
She needs to be gone 6 months ago.
No traitors.
Smith needs to be gone .I am so happy Alberta is to stay in canada .now the new Canadians can prosper . And hopefully take over because people in alberta are lazy and don’t want to work and if you disagree then you are racist
Speaking out both sides of her mouth as usual.
@ Gerry – Do you realize that the diminished future is due to central bank policies that favoured your generation over the ones following you? Boomers have 2 homes while their children can’t afford one.
canada has fallen down a long long way in my 75 years, there is absolutely no future for the young here, my advice, get an education and get the hell out of canada
Reply to Ben (posted at 3:30). What a disgusting person you are, nothing but rubbish.
Now that the separatists have been marginalized will they break off into their own party or stay to have some relevance?
@631pm, like we’re shaking you sharteating carndog swallower
Vote for 1000 pound nenshi with a chicken carcass in each hand, hahaha hahaha 🤣
Jeffrey Rath should shut his mouth and move on Its time the Canadian Government made an example of these treasonous clowns . If jeff dont like Canada he and his band of losers should hitch there wagons and head south Go hang out with that clown the US calls president .. Many people in the country are tired of threats , Careful because one day someone may take the law into there own hands and deal with jeff and friends o there own
The media can attempt to keep Smith in the news all they want with these nothingburger stories. The fact is, the NDP are simply never getting back in power in Alberta ever again, and it’s probably the same in B.C. as well.
To all you TRUE ALBERTANS who voted to leave, don’t be a stranger, we’ve got plenty of gun courses down in good ol’ US of A
You lie down with Rath you get up with fleas.
Smith deserves him.
If constitutional changes will appear to difficult or to long processing, if system of influencing number of seats in Parliament or entire voting – election system changes as proportional process of “Alberta ‘ s sponsorship” toward the assumed “family” may become in related questionnaire of referendum. This she’ll be rather temporary prove of accreditation not acceptance of old Chretien dynasty traditions.😍
She should step down she pushed the vote her way and I believe there’s some interference going on I dont believe there count
Another news agency is reporting that she is telling UCP member to either get on board with Pro-Canada or leave the UCP.
Can somebody please give her a mirror so she can reflect on what she created and maybe she should hand in her membership!
Scurry across the floor to another party after the UCP splits and causes us to have another NDP government due to her narcism.
We need another Conservative Party that is not radical right like the UCP have become because of the Wildrose infection they have now.
@ brian….sorry twinkie Danielle just got alot stronger ….and no one is going to elect nenshii again……even global admitted that
I’m sorry but Mr. Rath’s current legal situation and former anti UCP policies does not warrant the news coverage he appears to be getting! Just saying.
SMITH AND THE UCP HAVE DONE TREMENDOUS DAMAGE TO ALBERTA.
INTELLIGENT VOTERS WILL HOPEFULLY KICK THE UCP OUT – PERMENENTLY AND REPLACE IT WITH ONE OF PROMISE.
@Anonymous 334 PM. Still obsessed with Ben @330 PM huh? He lives in your tiny head.
Vote 1000 pound Nenshi with chicken carcass in each hand to be King of canada, canada is a LOST CAUSE!
As Anon said with a grin. As he wiped the come off his chin……
She needs to leave with the other fake Canadians calling themselves conservative.
Kick her to the curb!
I am in love with carney .he is such a dreamy man . I would love him inside my bum hole . My back door is always open for his support
Alberta, like the rest of Canada, is full of useless, naive sheep. I’m cheering on the cities burning. Please be aware we’re ready to deal with the flood of useless eaters.
Talking as if Alberta would be better off financially is the height of utter foolishness. It would destroy Alberta’s economy and many people would move away, especially highly educated professionals like medical workers. Absolute delusion.
I did not realize Alberta had so many elbows up azzholes . If you voted to stay in canada don’t complain about have no money Healthcare or jobs because you vote for that
Hahaha no. Bye bye
That’s right Anonymous. It’s way better to talk to the hillbillies and reddynecks. They are SO much smarter. LOL!
ALBERTANS who voted to leave, just know you can’t walk into a barnyard and talk to chickens
That’s right little Albert. I suggest you come over and play with your little cousin.
Uncle Elmer once told me that the majority is always right. We best be going back to our roots and play with our cousins. LOL!
Uncle Elmer once told me the majority is always right. We best be going back to our inbreeding. I really need my cousin right now. LOL!!!!!
Im not a fan of Danielle Smith, but let’s give her a chance to see what she does post-referendum. Hopefully she will be more inclusive of all Albertans.
The STAY side just walked into room with explosives strapped to their head. You can lead a horse to water, can’t make them drink!
The STAY side just opted for MAID!
Stay side gonna have a big hangover in coming years, what the hell did I do!
She had no choice? What a convenient excuse. She’s the Premier and leadership means making the right choice, not the choice that is politically expedient for her position as Premier and leader of the UCP. She may very well rue the day she decided to call a referendum but her wily skills as a politician and her intelligence may mean she escapes the consequences of her actions.
Three out of four guys voted for pizza, fourth guy says I’m going to make burgers for myself on BBQ
A family of four was deciding what to have for dinner. Three voted for pizza. The other was “overwhelmingly defeated”, according to Global.
Albertans questions 1 to 9: “I demand change!”
Albertans question 10: “I demand things stay the same!”
Pick me Musk, I’ll go to Mars, as far away from earth as possible 🙏
@Anonymous
49/51% split in the votes is hardly a “Mandate”
Its more like a “you better not”
Love the people saying the exercise of having the vote was a waste of time.
Cool, so just because you disagree with the question, that renders the entire thing useless? Nearly 300,000 in a province with 3.15 million eligible voters signed a petition calling for a vote. Should those comprising nearly 10% of voters in the province be ignored? Should we bother having elections at all? Would the left like to see their political aspirations dismissed by politicians just because they are minority views in this province?
Many are also decrying the cost of holding the referendum, saying the money would have been better spent elsewhere. It costs money to print and distribute ballots, to set up polling stations, count and certify votes etc etc. This is the cost of democracy. To suggest the vote shouldn’t have happened because the vote didn’t pass is ridiculous. What is the alternative? If polls suggest that one party leads another, should elections just not happen?
Those that didn’t support separation are smug because they ‘won’. Sure, but just look at the results to the other 9 questions: 7 of the 9 passed, representing a mandate for change that the majority want to see, as opposed to the status quo.
The referendum wasn’t a waste of money in the slightest, and just because you disagree with the questions being asked doesn’t change that.
Ms. Smith best be watching her back as the separatists that run the party will want her gone. They are already melded with the xtian nationalist maga elements and will push her out at the first opportunity creating a separatist party, likely fracturing the party. Ms Smith will likely sail off into the sunset with a nice payoff from big oil…stay tuned.
Danielle Smith is a fake conservative like Doug Ford. She sold out Albertans. Alberta has fallen. Next Carney will cancel all construction, all pipelines and imidazole stiffer taxes. You got played Alberta. Now the real financial suffering will commence. The liberals and Brookfield thank you. Toul be paying for wind farms in PEI and NS before the end of the month.
Your account dreamer ds, Alberta will NEVER get a fair deal with Ottawa
I came here for the ELBOZO comments , none yet , I guess they haven’t taken their heads out of the sand yet today