Those who have followed Alberta politics or read our past coverage would have difficulty imagining that Danielle Smith would ever be the premier of Alberta. Smith was in a great position to win in 2012 as leader of the Wildrose Party but lost to Alison Redford of the Progressive Conservatives.
As leader of the opposition in 2014, after she stated "there'll be no more floor crossings," Smith was one of 9 MLAs who crossed over to join the Progressive Conservatives.
So how did Danielle Smith win the leadership of the United Conservative Party in 2022, succeeding Jason Kenney as the new premier of Alberta?
In a relatively weak group of candidates, Smith finally got a majority — 53.3% — on the 6th ballot. The difference maker was the proposal for the Alberta Sovereignty Act, which essentially calls on Alberta, well, the government anyway to determine which federal laws will be recognised by the province.
Former Wildrose leader and current MLA Brian Jean was the other major contender. The other leadership candidates were independent MLA and former UCP caucus chair Todd Loewen along with 3 Kenney cabinet members and current MLAs Rajan Sawhney, Rebecca Schulz, and Travis Toews.
Smith will be the 3rd female premier in Alberta history behind Redford and former premier and current opposition leader Rachel Notley (NDP). The 2023 election will be the second time in Alberta history where women run the 2 primary parties.
Smith is not a MLA. You can still be premier and not be a MLA. Christy Clark did so for awhile in British Columbia in 2013.
Smith has a relatively short period of time to make an impact since the next provincial election will be on or before May 29, 2023. Smith said recently that if she won the UCP leadership race, she would not call an early election.
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Danielle Smith might consider mentioning this part of her history to be not so kind. This is part of why there was a political comeback. This was the introduction to Smith for many people inside Canada and outside the country.
She is a very different politician than Jason Kenney. Smith doesn't mind being the centre of attention. Her efforts since this incident have not gone back to this theme.
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Jason Kenney came out aggressively against a potential Alberta Sovereignty Act during the campaign. The concept of the UCP was to unite the right-wing Progressive Conservatives and the very right-wing Wildrose Party. As we've seen, this is easier said than accomplished.
Alberta goes back to its conservative ways by electing the UCP
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Following tonight's vote (and swearing-in ceremony), Alberta will be on its 8th premier since 2006.
— David Boles (@DavidJBoles) October 6, 2022
Only one of them has served a full term: Rachel Notley.#YEG #YYC #ableg #abpoli
Smith will be the second female premier of a Canadian province along with Heather Stefanson of Manitoba, who has been in office for almost a year. Neither Stefanson or Smith were elected.
photos credits: Calgary Herald; CanadianCrossing.com
video credit: CBC News
Twitter capture: @DavidJBoles
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