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Alberta Premier Wins Standoff with Party over Position on Provincial Separation Vote
Rob Smith says the party backs Alberta’s place in Canada as Danielle Smith presses ahead with an Oct. 19 referendum vote.
On Wednesday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith won a standoff with United Conservative Party president Rob Smith over the party's referendum stance, asserting on 880 CHED radio that she speaks for the UCP and its position is Alberta stays in Canada.
Last week, Premier Smith announced Albertans will vote Oct. 19 on whether to stay in Canada or pursue a second binding referendum on separation, but party president Rob Smith declared the UCP would take no position on the issue.
Smith grounded her pro-Canada stance in the party's founding principles, noting all MLAs were elected on that platform, while citing 700,000 Albertans who signed petitions supporting a referendum and warning that separation would require armed forces and border controls.
The UCP reversed course Wednesday, issuing a statement supporting Alberta staying in Canada; party president Rob Smith ultimately aligned with the premier, saying 'Together is better.'
With party unity restored, Albertans face the Oct. 19 referendum on separation as Premier Smith moves forward with a unified message that the vote will resolve the issue once and for all.