Alberta Riding Association Demands Leadership Review Of Premier For Insufficient Enthusiasm About A Country She Governs Part Of
A United Conservative Party constituency association has filed for a leadership review of Danielle Smith, on the grounds that her position on Canadian unity is roughly "in favour of it."
The complaint, which reportedly runs several pages, faults the Premier for failing to sufficiently honour the sovereignty aspirations of a movement whose leader has also criticised her for standing too close to the flag at events. Smith, who has spent three years constructing a position best described as "maybe," now finds that maybe is the one answer nobody wanted.
The separatist wing's grievance is specific. They do not object to Smith fighting Ottawa. They object to her fighting Ottawa in a manner that implies Ottawa will still be there next year. One organiser described her stance as "leaving the door open," which in Alberta political grammar is an accusation.
Political scientists note the structural problem. A premier who is too federalist loses the riding associations. A premier who is too separatist loses the pipeline approvals, the equalisation arguments, and the ability to say "we built this country" at fundraising dinners. The optimal position is a single point, approximately three centimetres wide, and Smith keeps stepping off it in whichever direction the last microphone was pointed.
The riding association has not proposed a replacement. It has proposed a review, a process, a form, and a meeting, which is the most Canadian possible way to demand the end of Canada.