What's Next for the UCP in Calgary?
Calgary is buzzing with political shifts as recent UCP decisions spark debate and uncertainty across the city. From an ongoing teachers' strike to independence discussions and persistent healthcare concerns, how these issues unfold will significantly impact local Calgarians.
Teachers across Alberta began a province-wide strike on October 6, 2025, which remains ongoing. The UCP government is considering back-to-work legislation, while also offering $30 per day to parents of children 12 and under for childcare, with additional support for those with Family Support for Children with Disabilities agreements. This labor action has cancelled classes for K-12 students in Calgary, straining working families and impacting local businesses due to lost productivity and reduced foot traffic. In response, the City of Calgary has expanded recreation programs, including day camps, to support families.
Discussions around Alberta's independence continue to simmer. A UCP MLA supports a referendum, and the government has lowered signature thresholds for citizen-initiated referendums to 177,000 over 120 days. While the Alberta Prosperity Project is actively campaigning for a referendum by 2026, May 2025 polling indicated minority support for separation among Albertans.
Healthcare remains a critical debate. Following allegations of corruption and improper procurement practices at Alberta Health Services (AHS), a report released on October 17, 2025, by former Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant found that conflicts of interest among two AHS employees were widely known. However, Wyant's report noted limitations and found no evidence of wrongful interference by Premier Danielle Smith or her ministers, prompting continued calls for a full public inquiry from the opposition NDP. Calgary has already seen 20,000 healthcare and social assistance workers leave in 2023, signaling ongoing strain on the system.
These dynamics are setting the stage for the next provincial general election, scheduled for October 18, 2027. Recent municipal elections in Calgary (October 2025) saw independent candidates prevail over UCP-favoured contenders for mayor, suggesting Calgarians are seeking local leadership that can counter the provincial government. The UCP's hold on urban support, particularly in Calgary where the 2023 provincial election saw a near 50-50 split, will be closely watched as these major issues unfold.