If attendance, enthusiasm, and optimism are any indication, Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP), led by Premier Danielle Smith, is flourishing despite a controversy in medical services procurement.
The UCP hosted its third annual Edmonton Leader’s Dinner at the Edmonton Convention Centre on Wednesday evening. The flagship event, which sold out with over 1,500 attendees—the largest Edmonton dinner in UCP history—featured a keynote address by Smith.
She spoke about western alienation, delivering sharp criticism of what she called "continuous economic attacks" from the federal government. She accused Ottawa of "demonizing" Alberta’s oil industry while siphoning wealth from Albertans to redistribute to regions with "presumably friendlier voters."
Urging the crowd to support Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre in ending Liberal "lunacy," she argued the federal actions overshadow even the tariff threat posed by the United States.
"Albertans have given more to Confederation than any group of Canadians, and we have done so for generations," Smith said, underscoring the province’s longstanding contributions.
She called for an end to federal policies she claims devastate Alberta’s energy sector, obstruct critical projects, and jeopardize residents’ jobs and futures.
"Enough is enough," she said.
Earlier Wednesday, Smith introduced amendments to the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act, framing them as a necessary shield against Ottawa’s policies. She positioned the changes as a defiant stand against what she described as the federal government’s punitive stance toward Alberta’s industry and people.
The move signals an escalation in the province’s resistance to perceived economic aggression from federal Liberals.
Smith also highlighted Budget 2025, which includes substantial investments in health and education, a modest tax break for many Albertans, and a projected $5.2-billion deficit.