Fourth UCP riding board backs Smith leadership review by a single vote as its own MLA urges a rethink

A fourth United Conservative Party constituency association board has voted to seek a special general meeting on Premier Danielle Smith's leadership, and the margin was one vote. The board for Bonnyville–Cold Lake–St. Paul voted 10 to 9 by secret ballot Monday night, according to a statement from the riding's own MLA, Scott Cyr, who opposes the motion and wants it reversed.

"A single vote separated the two sides," Cyr said in the statement, posted on X Tuesday morning. "That should be a reason to build bridges, not dig deeper trenches within our party." He thanked the nine board members who opposed the motion and said he respects "the right of every member to vote according to their convictions."

Cyr called the result "largely symbolic" and warned of lasting consequences for his region. "The cameras will move on, but our communities will still be here, counting on us to address their concerns," he said. He tied his appeal to next year's election, saying he is "concerned about the consequences of continued internal division within the United Conservative Party," and urged members to unite behind Smith. "My hope is that our Constituency Association will reconsider and ultimately rescind this misguided motion," he said.

The vote follows Highwood, Calgary-Buffalo and a third riding that independence advocate Jeffrey Rath announced on Oct. 15 without naming, as Calgary Dispatch reported. Under the UCP's bylaws, a special general meeting must be called when one-quarter of the party's 87 constituency associations pass identical motions, which means 22 boards. Four known votes leave the campaign 18 short. Some boards have gone the other way: Calgary-West's board unanimously declared its support for Smith last week, and Calgary-Mountain View rejected a review motion, according to the Western Standard.

Cyr's statement also referred to the "unofficial referendum results," saying many constituents are disappointed while others welcomed the outcome. Albertans voted roughly 75 to 25 against starting a path toward separation in the Oct. 19 referendum. Smith won 91.5 per cent support in her last scheduled leadership review in November 2024, and her next regular review is set for 2027. The UCP's annual general meeting is scheduled for Nov. 27 to 29 in Calgary.