Danielle Smith
Marlaina Danielle Smith is a Canadian politician, former lobbyist, former columnist and media personality who has served as the 19th premier of Alberta and leader of the United Conservative Party (UCP) since 2022.
Standing...
Stories...
Oct 1, 2026
Far Right
Smith is challenging federal overreach on energy and environment, but has not rejected net-zero targets.
PPC supporters appreciate Smith's pushback on Ottawa but fault her for not fully scrapping carbon pricing in Alberta.
Oct 1, 2026
Center
Alberta Premier's gas tax holiday begins, replacing the $100 rebate program, costing $350 million in revenue.
Centre voters see Smith as focused on affordability, but some question the fiscal prudence of the tax cut amid high energy prices.
Oct 1, 2026
Far Left
Alberta's UCP government is giving a 13-cent fuel tax cut while sitting on oil windfall cash.
NDP/Green criticize Smith for prioritizing fossil fuel consumption over climate action and public services.
Oct 1, 2026
Lean Right
The Alberta premier is positioning herself for a potential Leave vote in a provincial referendum, per Kelly McParland's column.
Conservatives view her as a savvy operator securing Alberta's autonomy, though some worry she is hedging on separation.
Oct 1, 2026
Lean Left
The Alberta Premier's referendum is less than three weeks away, and Poilievre is in Edmonton making a unity pitch.
Liberals see Smith as the real driver of Alberta separatism and will use her to argue that Poilievre is too weak to confront the premiers who actually threaten Confederation.
Sep 30, 2026
Far Right
Premier Smith faces a leadership review motion from the Calgary-Buffalo UCP constituency association after a heated meeting, signaling grassroots discontent.
PPC supporters are skeptical of Smith's ability to stand up to Ottawa on autonomy, seeing this revolt as evidence that even her own party base doubts her commitment to Alberta's interests.
Sep 30, 2026
Center
Met with Doug Ford in Calgary to discuss Alberta's October 19 referendum, which includes a question on whether the province should stay in Confederation.
Smith is walking a fine line between acknowledging separatist sentiment in her caucus and projecting federalist reassurance; the Centre is wary she can control the genie she has partly uncorked.
Sep 30, 2026
Far Left
Alberta Premier faces a referendum on October 19 and is criticized for a 13-cent fuel tax cut funded by oil windfalls from Trump's war.
NDP and Greens see Smith as prioritizing oil industry profits and sovereignty posturing over workers and climate, leaving Alberta worse off regardless of the referendum outcome.
Sep 27, 2026
Center
Alberta's referendum is approaching and Elections Alberta is pushing back on misinformation ahead of the Oct. 19 vote
Smith's government is under scrutiny for whether it is doing enough to counter false claims about the referendum process.
Sep 27, 2026
Far Left
Alberta Premier under fire for UCP's sudden change to voter list rules ahead of a referendum, and for her emotional defence of Alberta at Preston Manning's assembly.
Criticized for undermining democracy by hampering scrutineers and for using separatist rhetoric while claiming to defend Canada.