The United Conservative Party members have successfully influenced Premier Danielle Smith’s government to implement their desired policies. Actions such as banning vote-counting machines, regulating professional regulators, limiting solar panels on farmland, amending the Alberta Bill of Rights, and enforcing parental consent for students altering their pronouns were all outcomes of UCP grassroots resolutions at party conventions.
At the upcoming annual meeting in Edmonton, UCP activists aim to push the Smith government further by proposing new restrictions in areas previously untouched. These include calls to prohibit the display of non-official emblems, cease the addition of fluoride to water systems, restrict public funding for late-pregnancy abortions, and address concerns about COVID vaccines.
One significant resolution challenges Smith’s policy on auto insurance, advocating for the repeal of the planned “no-fault” system for accident claims in 2027. The proposal, put forth by injury lawyer Karamveer Lalh, highlights the issue as a matter of access to court rights, resonating with party members sensitive to such rights.
If widely supported at the convention, Lalh hopes the resolution will prompt the government to reconsider its stance. The proposal, which garnered top spot for debate, underscores the UCP’s commitment to aligning government actions with grassroots input.
Smith’s leadership approach emphasizes responsiveness to party resolutions, contrasting with her predecessor’s more centralized decision-making. The UCP base’s influence on policy direction has been evident in various legislative actions taken by the government. As the UCP convention approaches, the extent of the grassroots’ aspirations and the premier’s ability to balance party expectations remain key points of interest.