UCP Policy: Kenney Slams Party's Drift Toward Separatism

CALGARY, AB — The political friction between Alberta's current and former conservative leadership has escalated today, with ex-Premier Jason Kenney publicly condemning what he calls a dangerous drift toward separatism within the United Conservative Party he once led.

The Alberta NDP seized on Kenney's latest warnings this afternoon, framing them as evidence that Premier Danielle Smith's government has crossed a democratic red line. "You know you're on the wrong side of democracy when the former UCP leader and UCP Premier is raising the alarm about this separatist government," the party posted, linking to Kenney's CBC interview.

The Clash Inside Conservative Ranks

Kenney's February broadside marks his sharpest attack yet on the UCP caucus he built. He's specifically targeting reports that sitting MLAs have signed the Alberta Prosperity Project's separation petition—a citizen-driven effort to force a referendum on Alberta becoming a sovereign country. The petition, approved by Elections Alberta in early January, needs 177,732 verified signatures by May 2 to trigger a provincial vote.

"This is bananas," Kenney told reporters, echoing his September 2025 warning that a separation referendum would "scare away investment" and "create uncertainty." He also condemned alleged meetings between separatist groups and U.S. officials, though no UCP MLA has publicly confirmed signing the petition or participating in cross-border talks.

How We Got Here

The separation machinery was greased by two pieces of legislation passed under Smith's watch. Bill 54, enacted in May 2025, lowered signature thresholds for citizen-initiated referendums. Then came Bill 14 in December 2025, which rewrote the rules after a judge declared a proposed separation question unconstitutional. Days later, Elections Alberta greenlit the Alberta Prosperity Project's ballot language.

Smith herself opened the door in May 2025, announcing she'd "consider" a separation referendum if enough Albertans signed a petition. That conditional commitment followed the Liberal Party's federal election victory in April, which reignited sovereignty talk across the province.

The Players Picking Sides

Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi has hammered Smith as leading "a separatist party and a separatist government," demanding UCP MLAs sign an anti-separatism pledge. First Nations chiefs from Treaties 6, 7, and 8 condemned Bill 14 in January, warning that any unilateral separation would violate treaty rights. Meanwhile, Alberta Forever Canada—a rival citizen initiative—is mobilizing to keep the province in Confederation.

The money angle adds fuel. Smith's government has floated replacing the Canada Pension Plan with an Alberta Pension Plan as a "financially meaningful" sovereignty move, despite a 2025 provincial survey showing 63% opposition to the idea. CUPE Alberta launched an ad campaign in November defending CPP participation.

What Happens Next

The Alberta Prosperity Project has until May 2 to deliver 177,732 signatures to Elections Alberta. If they clear that bar, Smith faces a choice: call the referendum or watch her caucus fracture between Kenney loyalists and sovereignty hawks. Neither the Premier's office nor any UCP MLA has publicly confirmed signing the petition or responded to Kenney's latest salvo.

The friction is now institutional. The architect of the modern UCP is openly warring with the party he handed to Smith, and the NDP is betting Albertans will notice the civil war inside conservative ranks before petition organizers finish knocking doors.