Danielle Smith, dozens of UCP MLAs targeted by recall campaign
United Conservative MLAs are facing a growing threat as angry citizens launch recall campaigns across Alberta, with signatures already being gathered in two ridings.
United Conservative MLAs are facing a growing threat as angry citizens launch recall campaigns across Alberta, with signatures already being gathered in two ridings and over a dozen more campaigns getting ready under the province’s new Recall Act.
Operation Total Recall lists 24 MLAs in various stages of recall activity. Two MLAs are in the “gathering signatures” phase, 10 have “initial paperwork approved,” four have “initial paperwork submitted,” and another eight are flagged as “targeted” for future recall applications.
The group describes itself as a hub for information and tools rather than a campaign organizer, stating on its homepage that it supports citizen-led efforts.
However, the group says it is specifically targeting the 44 Alberta United Conservative Party (UCP) MLAs who supported using the notwithstanding clause to send teachers back to work.
During Question Period on Monday, Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi highlighted that one-third of the United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus was under threat of recall. He accused Premier Danielle Smith of abandoning her support for the recall process.
Smith rejected Nenshi’s criticism, arguing the recall process was being distorted for partisan ends. She said it is “being abused and misused by the unions and others who are trying to take down this government,” adding the groups involved were “very open about the fact that it’s a government overthrow.”
She pledged to consult her caucus about whether further changes were needed to prevent misuse of the process.
Smith confirmed that other jurisdictions have highlighted the legislation’s intent — to remove elected officials derelict in their duties.
“It was not intended to have unions weaponize it to bus people in and put gofundmes online in order to be able to topple the sitting government. That’s what elections are for,” she said.
While some have criticized the government for using Section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the notwithstanding clause, experts have defended its use.
For example, Christine Van Geyn, litigation director for the Canadian Constitution Foundation, said that many challenges against the notwithstanding clause would contradict the intentions of its original drafters.
Similarly, former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said provinces only signed onto the repatriation of the Constitution and Charter of Rights because of Section 33.
Recall organizers are already collecting signatures against Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides in Calgary-Bow and Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt. For both ridings, the signature targets are based on Elections Alberta’s new 60-per-cent rule for recall petitions.
Nicolaides’ recall petition was approved on October 14. His statement was received on October 21, and the petition was issued on October 23. Signatures can be collected until January 21, 2026.
Pitt’s was approved on October 22. She did not offer a statement within the week thereafter. The petition was issued on November 5, and signatures can be collected until February 3, 2026.
Thanks to recent changes implemented by the Alberta government, the Recall Act requires that petitions be signed by 60 per cent of votes cast in the district’s most recent election, up from the formerly required 40 per cent of all registered electors.
Nicolaides’ recall petition will require 16,006 verified signatures, while Pitt’s will need 14,813.
Elections Alberta stresses that all signatures must be collected using official forms and witnessed by registered canvassers.
“Only original physical signatures are valid. Digital or online signatures will not be accepted.”
Signatories must have lived in the electoral division for at least three months before signing, legibly print their name, address, and contact information, and sign only once.
The rules also require canvassers to live in the riding and swear affidavits confirming signatories were eligible electors. Every signature must be witnessed by a canvasser.
Beyond the two active petitions, Operation Total Recall lists 10 MLAs with “initial paperwork approved,” four more with “initial paperwork submitted,” and eight, including Premier Danielle Smith, “targeted” for potential future recall.
These efforts are the first major test of Alberta’s overhauled recall regime.
If any recall petition reaches the 60 per cent signature mark and survives verification, the Lieutenant Governor in Council will order a recall vote within four months. If more than 50 per cent of electors who vote on the recall question say an MLA should be recalled, they will lose their job, and a byelection will be held.