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Alberta Legislature (Image Credit: Dreamstime)
By Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
Provincial Politics

Alberta’s Smith says separatist leader’s UCP membership revoked

Oct 30, 2026 | 3:20 PM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a high-profile separatist leader has been kicked out of her United Conservative Party.

Smith told reporters in Calgary that the party’s executive director made the decision to revoke Jeff Rath’s membership over code of conduct issues, and it’s a decision she supports.

Rath has been a key figure in the province’s independence movement and a harsh critic of the premier.

He has been calling for Smith’s resignation over her support of Alberta staying in Canada and has been working to try to force a vote on her leadership at the party’s upcoming general meeting.

The issue surrounds the decision by three-quarters of Alberta voters in last week’s referendum to stay in Canada rather than hold a second referendum on leaving Confederation.

Smith says her United Conservatives must support that decision, and says anyone in party ranks who still wants to stump for separation needs to find a new political home.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 30, 2026.

by Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press