Calgary Set for Political Showdown: Poilievre and Smith Brace for Leadership Challenges
Calgary is bracing for a politically charged period as federal and provincial dynamics converge on the city. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Official Opposition and Conservative Party of Canada, is set to face a mandatory leadership review at a pivotal national convention in Calgary from January 29 to 31, 2026. This high-stakes event follows the party's performance in the April federal election where, despite increasing their vote share, they did not form government, and Poilievre lost his own seat. The Conservative Party's national council moved the 2026 convention, originally planned for Ottawa, to Calgary, where members will decide on Poilievre's continued leadership through a secret ballot vote.
Closer to home, Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party is contending with a wave of recall efforts targeting several of its MLAs, particularly in Calgary. This push for accountability from constituents follows the provincial government's controversial decision to invoke the notwithstanding clause, forcing striking teachers back to work in October 2025. Organizers are actively collecting signatures to recall Calgary-North West MLA Rajan Sawhney and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, MLA for Calgary-Bow. The Recall Act, implemented by the UCP in 2022, allows voters to remove a sitting MLA mid-term, though it requires signatures from 60 percent of the total votes cast in the last provincial election in a given riding. Premier Smith has indicated she is considering amending the Recall Act amidst these efforts, raising questions about the future of this democratic tool.
These concurrent political battles highlight Calgary's significant role as a hub for both national and provincial political discourse. The outcomes of Poilievre's leadership review could significantly shape the direction of federal politics, while the provincial recall efforts will directly impact Alberta's governance and policy, particularly affecting Calgary residents concerned with local representation and government accountability. The city's political landscape, often described as fiscally conservative but increasingly socially liberal, will undoubtedly be a crucial battleground in the coming months.
