Smith tells UCP separatists to accept the referendum result or leave the party

Two days after Albertans voted to stay in Canada, Premier Danielle Smith said in a video that party nominees and board members must back a strong Alberta within a united Canada. She warned infighting would hand the October 2027 election to the NDP.

"As a party, we cannot permit the next year to be one of internal division and endless debates about separation, when Albertans have spoken so clearly against it," Smith said.

— Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

Separatists inside the United Conservative Party plan to elect allies to its board and as candidates; Jeffrey Rath keeps calling on members to remove Smith as leader.

Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan, who promoted the petition for a separation referendum, said he will not seek re-election next year.