BREAKING: Alberta separatists win positions on Alberta UCP Board of Directors
The Alberta UCP AGM on Saturday was perhaps the most vital for the party, as the results for the board election came through and saw the separatists win some positions on the Board of Directors.
The last event for the Alberta UCP AGM on Saturday was perhaps the most vital for the party, as the results for the board election came through and saw the separatists win some positions on the Board of Directors. However, separatist advocates did not sweep the election, failing to elect their candidates to some key positions, including the board President.
The Alberta Prosperity Project promoted a list of board candidates for separatist advocates to vote for.
The list went position by position, highlighting candidates deemed “Pro Alberta independence.”
An alternative list of “pro-establishment” candidates, who separatists said supported the status quo, was also provided.
“This voting guide highlights candidates who support Alberta independence, Alberta-first values, and grassroots accountability. All voting decisions remain your responsibility,” the list read.
The Alberta separatists endorsed nine candidates for the positions of President, Secretary, VP of Fundraising, VP of Communications, and various riding positions. Four candidates advocated for by the Alberta Prosperity Project won, while three won for the “establishment.”
The Edmonton candidate who won was on neither side of the Alberta Prosperity Project’s list.
The race for the VP of Fundraising was so close that a recount was required. The results have not been reported as of the time of this article’s publication.
Earlier in the day, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith used her keynote speech to express her opposition to separating from Canada.
She said Albertans were the proudest of all Canadians and hoped to lead the country toward a brighter future.
“All we need is a government in Ottawa to get out of the way and let us turn Canada into a thriving energy superpower with Alberta leading the way,” she said. “Let us lower our fists, and instead, roll up our sleeves, and get to work on making our province and our people more prosperous than ever before.”
However, with either four or five pro-separatists now governing Smith’s party board, discussions on separation could change.
True North spoke with General Counsel for the Alberta Prosperity Project, Jeffrey Rath, live at the AGM before the results came in.
Rath said Friday night showed that 85 per cent of members at the Alberta UCP support a free and independent Alberta. He cited the fact that he received the loudest applause when he spoke on stage, while Smith was booed when she mentioned anything anti-separation.
“Hopefully when the votes are counted, the pro-independence candidates will be firmly in control of the board of directors of the United Conservative Party of Alberta,” said Rath. “Moving forward, we’re going to be the ones selecting MLAs. We’re going to be the ones moving the party forward into the next election.”
He expressed a hope for a referendum on Alberta separation before that occurs.
Rath added that he watched Smith’s keynote speech closely, noting she was booed every time she mentioned pro-Canada sentiment.
“Albertans are fed up. We don’t want to do any more of this. The stupid MOU that she’s entered into… whoever advised her on it was completely delusional,” he said.
Rath said the Financial Post claimed the MOU would add $6 to $10 per barrel in additional cost to Alberta oil. He explained that investors will not come to Canada when they can invest in other countries without carbon taxes.
With the newly elected board of directors, Rath said the Alberta Prosperity Project will determine the next stages of the Alberta UCP, including who runs as MLAs.
While Rath spoke with True North before the votes were tallied, he was “cautiously optimistic” that his separatist movement would have a majority on the board.
As for whether the separatists hold the slimmest majority or are in a tie with the “establishment,” that answer will only be known once the recounted results for the VP of Fundraising are reported.