Examine individual changes

'{{short description|Provincial political party in Alberta, Canada}} {{Use Canadian English|date=April 2022}} {{For|the historical political party in Chile|United Conservative Party (Chile)}} {{Infobox political party | name = United Conservative Party | abbreviation = UCP | logo = UCP_2023_Logo.png | logo_size = 250px | colorcode = {{Canadian party colour|AB|UCP}} | leader = [[Danielle Smith]] | president = Rob Smith<ref>{{cite web |title=Board |url=https://www.unitedconservative.ca/about/ |website=United Conservative Party |access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref> | foundation = July 31, 2017 | membership = {{nowrap|{{increase}} 123,915<ref>{{cite web |last1=Markusoff |first1=Jason |title=Why choosing Alberta's next premier largely lies in the hands of folks in Rimbey, Strathmore and Three Hills |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ucp-membership-riding-breakdown-analysis-1.6561359 |website=CBC |date=25 August 2022 |access-date=3 October 2022}}</ref>}} | membership_year = 2022 | ideology = {{ubl|class=nowrap| |[[Conservatism]] ([[Conservatism in Canada|Canadian]]) |[[Fiscal conservatism]] |[[Economic liberalism]] |'''Factions:''' |[[Social conservatism]] |[[Right-wing populism]] |[[Autonomism (political doctrine)|Alberta autonomism]]<ref name="CBC_Dryden_20200624"/><ref name="CBC_Franklin_20200624"/> }} | headquarters = 4317 23B Street NE<br />[[Calgary]], [[Alberta]]<br />T2E 7V9 | website = {{URL|https://unitedconservative.ca/}} | country = Canada | leader2_title = Executive Director | leader2_name = Dustin van Vugt | _subheader = Active&nbsp;provincial&nbsp;party | merger = {{unbulleted list|[[Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta]],|[[Wildrose Party|Wildrose Political Association]]}} | position = [[Centre-right politics|Centre-right]] to [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] | seats1_title = Seats in [[Legislative Assembly of Alberta|Legislature]] | seats1 = {{Composition bar|48|87|hex={{Canadian party colour|AB|UCP}}}} | state = Alberta | parties_dab1 = List of political parties in Alberta | elections_dab1 = List of Alberta general elections | footnotes = }} The '''United Conservative Party of Alberta''' ('''UCP''') is a [[Conservatism in Canada|conservative]] political party in the province of [[Alberta]], [[Canada]]. It was established in July 2017 as a merger between the [[Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta]] and the [[Wildrose Party]]. When established, the UCP immediately formed the [[Official Opposition (Canada)|Official Opposition]] in the [[Legislative Assembly of Alberta]]. The UCP won a majority mandate in the [[2019 Alberta general election]] to form the government of Alberta.<ref name="BBC_30190417">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47901703|title=Right-wingers win Canada's Alberta province|work=BBC News|date=17 April 2019}}</ref> UCP leader [[Jason Kenney]] became [[Premier of Alberta|premier]] on April 30, 2019, when he and his first [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet]] were appointed and sworn in by the [[lieutenant governor of Alberta]], [[Lois Mitchell]]. A [[2022 United Conservative Party leadership election|leadership election]] was triggered after Kenney announced his intention to resign in 2022.<ref name="CBC20220519">{{cite news |last1=French |first1=Janet |date=May 19, 2022 |title=Jason Kenney to remain as premier, party leader until new UCP leader is chosen |work=[[CBC News]] |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jason-kenney-to-remain-as-premier-party-leader-until-new-ucp-leader-is-chosen-1.6459908 |access-date=June 24, 2022}}</ref> It was won by [[Danielle Smith]]. She led the party to a renewed majority mandate in the [[2023 Alberta general election]]. ==Overview== In July 2017, the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta and the Wildrose Party merged to form the United Conservative Party under the leadership of [[Jason Kenney]], a former cabinet member in the [[Stephen Harper]] government. Kenney had won the [[2017 Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta leadership election]] on a platform of uniting the two parties.<ref name="CBC_Bellefontaine_20170317">{{cite news|last1=Bellefontaine|first1=Michelle|title=Wildrose 'not our enemies,' Kenney says in PC leadership pitch|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/wildrose-not-our-enemies-kenney-says-in-pc-leadership-pitch-1.4031007|access-date=March 17, 2017|work=CBC News|date=March 18, 2017|language=en}}</ref> The UCP maintained a large lead in opinion polls, from its formation in 2017, during the two years prior to the [[2019 Alberta general election|2019 provincial election]], and at the beginning of 2020. The UCP won the 2019 election with a large majority. Under the [[Premiership of Jason Kenney]], their first cabinet of the [[30th Alberta Legislature]] was sworn in by [[lieutenant governor of Alberta]], [[Lois Mitchell]] on April 30, 2019.<ref name="thestar_Leavitt_20190430">{{Cite news| issn = 0319-0781| last1 = Leavitt| first1 = Kieran| last2 = Maimann| first2 = Kevin| title = Jason Kenney sworn in as 18th premier of Alberta, names his UCP cabinet| work = The Toronto Star| access-date = November 19, 2021| date = April 30, 2019| url = https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2019/04/30/jason-kenney-set-to-be-sworn-in-and-name-his-united-conservative-cabinet-tuesday-morning.html}}</ref> To maintain their registration and assets, both the PCs and Wildrose ran one [[paper candidate]] each in [[Edmonton-Strathcona (provincial electoral district)|Edmonton-Strathcona]] (an NDP safe seat held at that time by NDP leader [[Rachel Notley]]). On February 7, 2020, after the UCP government passed legislation allowing parties to legally merge, Elections Alberta formally approved the merger of the PCs and Wildrose into the UCP, allowing the UCP to merge the legacy parties' assets and formally wind up their affairs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/wildrose-and-alberta-pcs-are-no-more-after-elections-alberta-approves-merger-1.4802340|title=Wildrose and Alberta PCs are no more after Elections Alberta approves merger|last=Franklin|first=Michael|date=2020-02-07|website=Calgary|language=en|access-date=2020-03-22}}</ref> == Background == When the [[Alberta New Democratic Party]]'s (NDP) won the [[2015 Alberta general election]], it ended an uninterrupted period in which the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta had won provincial elections since 1971, under Premiers [[Peter Lougheed]], [[Don Getty]], [[Ralph Klein]], [[Ed Stelmach]], [[Alison Redford]], [[Dave Hancock]] and [[Jim Prentice]]. No other government had served for that long at the provincial or federal level in Canadian history.<ref name="canadianencyclopedia_2019">{{Cite encyclopedia| last1 = Block| first1 = Niko| last2 = Marshall| first2 = Tabitha| title = United Conservative Party| encyclopedia = The Canadian Encyclopedia| access-date = November 18, 2021| date = 2019| url = https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/united-conservative-party}}</ref><ref name="edmontonsun_Gunter_20150506"/><ref name="List of MLAs">{{cite web|title=List of MLAs|url=http://www.albertapc.ab.ca/admin/contentx/default.cfm?h=10383&PageId=4|work=PC Alberta|access-date=April 18, 2013}}</ref> Until the 1990s, when [[Preston Manning]]'s [[anti-establishment]] [[right-wing populism|right-wing populist]] [[Reform Party of Canada|Reform Party]] won 52 seats in the [[1993 Canadian federal election]] and became the [[Official Opposition (Canada)|Official Opposition]] in the [[1997 Canadian federal election|1997 Federal Election]], there were no significant challenges from the political right to the PCs. Other right-wing parties were established in Alberta, including the Alberta First Party in 1999, the Alberta Independence Party in 2001, the Alberta Alliance Party in 2002, the Wildrose Party of Alberta in 2007, and the Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta in 2008—the Wildrose Party.<ref name="canadianencyclopedia_2019"/> Following Manning, the Canadian Conservative movement was led by a series of westerners; [[Stockwell Day]] from British Columbia, [[Stephen Harper]] from Alberta, and [[Andrew Scheer]] in Saskatchewan.<ref name="globalnews_Sorenson_20210822">{{Cite news| last = Sorenson| first = Eric| title = Analysis: End of Andrew Scheer era means shift eastward for Conservative power | work = Global News| access-date = November 18, 2021| date = August 22, 2021| url = https://globalnews.ca/news/7293114/analysis-andrew-scheer-conservatives-era/}}</ref> When Harper was defeated in the [[2015 Canadian federal election|2015 general election]] by [[Justin Trudeau]], who succeeded him as prime minister, the new leader of the Conservative Party was [[Andrew Scheer]].<ref name="canadianencyclopedia_2019"/> By 2016, with the NDP in power at the provincial level in Alberta, and the federal conservative movement weakened under Scheer, the PCs and Wildrose began to discuss a merger to strengthen the right.<ref name="canadianencyclopedia_2019"/> The Wildrose Party had formed in 2008 as a provincial [[political party]] in [[Alberta]], [[Canada]] with the merger of the [[Alberta Alliance Party]] and the unregistered [[Wildrose Party of Alberta]].<ref name="constitution">{{cite web|title=Wildrose Party Constitution |year=2014 |url=https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/wildrose/pages/2871/attachments/original/1421189870/Wildrose_Party_Constitution_2015-01-13.pdf?1421189870 |publisher=Wildrose Party |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115161541/https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/wildrose/pages/2871/attachments/original/1421189870/Wildrose_Party_Constitution_2015-01-13.pdf?1421189870 |archive-date=2015-01-15 }}</ref><ref name="CBC_20110626">{{cite news|title=Wildrose drops 'Alliance' from name|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2011/06/26/cgy-wildrose-meeting.html|work=CBC News|access-date=24 July 2011|date=26 June 2011}}</ref> Its members largely consisted of dissatisfied former Progressive Conservative supporters. Three of the first five Wildrose MLAs were defectors originally elected as Progressive Conservatives.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/alberta-election-pits-pcs-red-versus-wildroses-blue-conservatives-experts-say |title=Alberta election pits PC's 'red' versus Wildrose's 'blue' conservatives, experts say |first=Karen |last=Kleiss |date=April 9, 2012 |newspaper=National Post|access-date=2015-05-23}}</ref><ref name="Bratt2012">{{cite book|first=Duane |last=Bratt|title=Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival: Advocacy Coalitions in Action|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LWinNZN_FGAC&pg=PA244|year=2012|publisher=McGill-Queen's Press(MQUP)|isbn=978-0-7735-4068-2}}</ref>{{rp|244}} [[Danielle Smith]], who served as leader of the Wildrose Party from October 2009 until December 2014, made an unsuccessful attempt to merge the Wildrose and the PC party by resigning from the Wildrose and crossing the floor to join the governing Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta caucus under then Premier [[Jim Prentice]], along with eight other Wildrose MLAs.<ref name="CBC_20141217">{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/9-wildrose-mlas-including-danielle-smith-cross-to-alberta-tories-1.2876412 |title=9 Wildrose MLAs, including Danielle Smith, cross to Alberta Tories |work=CBC News |date=December 17, 2014}}</ref> The remaining Wildrose Party refused to consider the request by Smith to dissolve their party. Then Wildrose President David Yager said at the time "This is not a merger in any way. It is capitulation."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Henton|first1=Darcy|title=Mass defection expected as Wildrose MLAs to join PCs|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/wildrose-party-president-vows-to-fight-backroom-deal-merger|publisher=Calgary Herald}}</ref> When the NDP won in 2015 an ''Edmonton Sun'' article blamed the mass Wildrose defections for the loss.<ref name="edmontonsun_Gunter_20150506">{{cite web|last1=Gunter|first1=Lorne|title=NDP lineup full of radicals|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/05/06/lorne-gunter-ndp-lineup-full-of-radicals|publisher=Calgary Sun}}</ref> In the wake of the historical loss, uniting the Wildrose and PC parties became a major issue. In July 2016, federal MP and former minister [[Jason Kenney]] announced that he would seek the PC leadership on a platform of seeking a merger with the Wildrose. At the Wildrose AGM held in [[Red Deer, Alberta|Red Deer]] on October 28, 2016, [[Brian Jean]], then Wildrose Leader of the Opposition, cautioned the caucus against merging just before the 2017 elections; he said the PC party, was "confused about its values" and rife with "instability."<ref name="CBC_Bellefontaine_20161028">{{cite news|last1=Bellefontaine|first1=Michelle|title=Wildrose leader rejects PC merger in speech to party faithful|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/wildrose-leader-rejects-pc-merger-in-speech-to-party-faithful-1.3827339|publisher=CBC |date=October 28, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2021}}</ref> On December 15, 2016, a rift occurred in the Wildrose party when MLA [[Derek Fildebrandt]] openly supported a merger with the PCs. Fildebrandt, who was the first Wildrose MLA to break with Jean, said that Albertans wanted "a single conservative option to face against the NDP in the next election."<ref name="CBC_20161215">{{cite news|title=Wildrose divided: Fildebrandt breaks with leader, calls for merger with PCs |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/wildrose-divided-fildebrandt-breaks-with-leader-calls-for-merger-with-pcs-1.3898810|publisher=CBC |location=Calgary |date=December 15, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2021}}</ref><ref name="CBC_Woods_20121215">{{cite web |title=Wildrose rift: Party appears split over merger with PCs|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/wildrose-mla-fildebrandt-calls-for-party-merger-with-pcs|publisher=Calgary Herald |first1=James |last1=Wood |first2=Don |last2=Braid |date=December 15, 2016|access-date=November 18, 2021}}</ref> When the two parties did merge, following an overwhelming vote in favour of the merger, some Wildrosers declined to join the UCP. A group of the former Wildrose [[constituency association]] presidents met in July to discuss forming a new party.<ref name=mergevote/> Kenney was [[2017 Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta leadership election|elected PC leader on March 18, 2017]] on a platform of uniting the two parties—"Uniting the Right". Negotiations between Jean and Kenney were successful; the merger agreement was released on May 18, 2017. The results of the July 22, 2017 internal votes on the merger agreement held by both parties<ref name="timeline">{{cite news|title=Conservative unity vote: A timeline|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/conservative-unity-vote-a-timeline|access-date=July 22, 2017|work=Edmonton Journal|date=July 22, 2017}}</ref><ref name="cbc">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-wildrose-pc-conservatives-merger-1.4121473|title=Alberta's Wildrose, PCs agree to create new United Conservative Party|publisher=CBC News|date=May 18, 2017|access-date=May 19, 2017}}</ref> supported the merger with 95% of Wildrose and PC members voting in favour.<ref name=mergevote>{{cite news|title=Wildrose votes yes to unity with 95% of the vote|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/wildrose-party-members-votes-95-5-per-cent-in-favour-of-joining-united-conservative-party|access-date=July 22, 2017|work=Calgary Herald|date=July 22, 2017}}</ref><ref name="cbcmerge">{{cite news|last1=Bellefontaine|first1=Michelle|title=Wildrose and PC members approve unite-the-right deal with 95% voting 'yes'|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/wildrose-unity-pcs-vote-1.4217598|access-date=July 23, 2017|publisher=CBC News|date=July 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-conservative-unity-one-step-closer|title=Wildrose-PC members to vote on new united party July 22|work=Edmonton Journal|date=May 18, 2017|access-date=May 19, 2017}}</ref> The second-place PC leadership candidate and MLA for [[Vermilion-Lloydminster]], [[Richard Starke]], announced on July 24 that he would not join the UCP, and will sit in the legislature as an Independent PC MLA.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/united-conservative-party-alberta-monday-1.4219080|title=Richard Starke, former PC leadership candidate, won't join new United Conservative Party|work=CBC News|access-date=2017-07-24|language=en}}</ref> At least 10 directors of the PC Party resigned after Kenney became leader, with some former Tories working to build a centrist alternative to both the United Conservatives and the NDP before the [[2019 Alberta general election|next provincial election]].<ref name=mergevote/> A joint meeting of the PC and Wildrose caucuses was held on July 24, 2017, to elect [[Nathan Cooper (Canadian politician)|Nathan Cooper]], Wildrose MLA for [[Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills]], as [[Interim leader (Canada)|interim leader]]—and hence Leader of the Opposition--<ref name="cooper">{{cite news|title=Nathan Cooper chosen as interim leader of United Conservative Party|url=http://www.cbc.ca/1.4219080|publisher=CBC News|date=July 24, 2017}}</ref> over [[Prasad Panda]], Wildrose MLA for [[Calgary-Foothills]], and [[Richard Gotfried]], PC MLA for [[Calgary-Fish Creek]].<ref name="next">{{cite news|last1=Graney|first1=Emma|title=United Conservative Party: The next steps|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/united-conservative-party-the-next-steps|access-date=July 23, 2017|date=July 22, 2017}}</ref> As well, members of both caucuses approached the [[Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta]] and ask to be recognized as the United Conservative caucus.<ref name=cbcmerge/> Kenney and Jean selected six individuals each to sit on the interim executive board of the new party. Ed Ammar was elected as first chair of the party on July 24, 2017. Cooper also appointed two MLAs to the board as non-voting members. The new party was registered with [[Elections Alberta]] as of July 31, 2017.<ref name=next/> Although it was generally understood that the PC and Wildrose merged to form the UCP, Alberta electoral law at the time did not permit parties to formally merge or transfer assets between each other. Thus, the PC and Wildrose legally continued to exist, while the UCP was legally reckoned as a newly created party. As a result, on July 24, 2017–the day the new UCP formally came into existence–Cooper and the UCP's interim leadership team formally assumed the leaderships of both the PC and Wildrose parties as well. Also on that date, all members in good standing of the PCs and Wildrose became members of the UCP, with all but a few members withdrawing their memberships in the merging parties. The PCs and Wildrose withdrew from any meaningful public presence, thus ''[[de facto]]'' dissolving them although they continued to exist on paper. [[Calgary-South East]] MLA [[Rick Fraser (politician)|Rick Fraser]], a former PC member, left the caucus on September 21, 2017, to sit as an Independent due to his dissatisfaction with the party's leadership contest and the emphasis put by candidates on spending cuts and austerity.<ref>{{cite web|author=James Wood |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/southeast-calgary-mla-rick-fraser-leaves-ucp-caucus-to-sit-as-independent |title=Rick Fraser, southeast Calgary MLA, leaves United Conservative caucus |publisher=Calgary Herald |date=2017-09-21 |access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> ==2017 leadership election== The [[2017 United Conservative Party leadership election|leadership election]] held on October 28, 2017 resulted in former PC leader Jason Kenney defeating former Wildrose leader Brian Jean and Doug Schweitzer, a former aide to [[Jim Prentice]], to become UCP leader. Kenney won more than 60% of the vote on the first ballot.<ref name=ken>{{cite web|author=James Wood |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/ex-mla-donna-kennedy-glans-enters-pc-leadership-race |title=Donna Kennedy-Glans joins PC leadership race |publisher=Calgary Herald |date=2016-09-08 |access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> Kenney successfully contested a by-election in [[Calgary-Lougheed]] on December 14, 2017, after incumbent MLA [[Dave Rodney]] resigned in order to give Kenney an opportunity to enter the Alberta legislature.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/jason-kenney-gets-to-work-new-leader-upc-1.4377594 |title=Calgary MLA steps down to allow Jason Kenney to run for legislature seat |publisher=CBC News |date=2017-10-29 |access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> ==2019 provincial election== The UCP won the 2019 provincial election with a large majority, mainly on the strength of a near-sweep of Calgary (where it won all but three seats) and rural Alberta (where it won all but one seat). Under the [[Premiership of Jason Kenney]], their first cabinet of the [[30th Alberta Legislature]] was sworn in by [[lieutenant governor of Alberta]], [[Lois Mitchell]], on April 30, 2019.<ref name="thestar_Leavitt_20190430">{{Cite news| issn = 0319-0781| last1 = Leavitt| first1 = Kieran| last2 = Maimann| first2 = Kevin| title = Jason Kenney sworn in as 18th premier of Alberta, names his UCP cabinet| work = The Toronto Star| access-date = November 19, 2021| date = April 30, 2019| url = https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2019/04/30/jason-kenney-set-to-be-sworn-in-and-name-his-united-conservative-cabinet-tuesday-morning.html}}</ref> == 2023 provincial election == The UCP under Premier Danielle Smith was re-elected to government in the [[2023 Alberta general election]] with a reduced majority.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alberta election: Danielle Smith’s UCP to form next government after tight race {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9731337/alberta-election-2023-danielle-smith-ucp-wins/ |access-date=2023-05-30 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What Danielle Smith’s Alberta election win means for the rest of Canada {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9726716/alberta-election-results-canada-impact/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref> They lost their one seat in [[Edmonton]] to the NDP.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UCP wins Alberta election but no Edmonton seats. What now? - Edmonton {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9734108/edmonton-no-ucp-seats-alberta-election-2023/ |access-date=2023-05-31 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Williams | first1=Nia | last2=Bracken | first2=Amber | last3=Shakil | first3=Ismail | title=Alberta premier Smith takes aim at Trudeau after winning provincial election | website=Reuters | date=May 30, 2023 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/alberta-heads-polls-with-canadas-green-agenda-balance-2023-05-29/ | access-date=September 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Austen | first1=Ian | title=Alberta Election Sees Conservatives Keep Power After Hard-Right Turn | website=The New York Times | date=May 30, 2023 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/30/world/americas/alberta-canada-conservative-election.html | access-date=September 6, 2023}}</ref> The election campaign had been close and one of the fiercest in Alberta's history.<ref>{{cite web | last=Taylor-Vaisey | first=Nick | title=In Alberta, a bruising campaign invites political chaos | website=POLITICO | date=May 28, 2023 | url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/28/alberta-premier-smith-notley-00099090 | access-date=September 6, 2023}}</ref> ==Fundraising== The UCP raised $6.6 million in funds in 2018,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/ucp-smashes-2018-fundraising-totals/|work=Edmonton Journal|first=Emma |last=Graney |date=January 23, 2019|access-date=May 9, 2020|title=UCP smashes 2018 fundraising totals, but all major parties break donation rules}}</ref> At the end of 2019, after the successful election, the party had $41.1 million in liabilities and a $2.3 million deficit.<ref name="CBC_20200416">{{Cite news|date=April 16, 2020|title=Despite millions in donations, UCP ends year with $2.3M deficit|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-political-parties-donations-finances-1.5533843|access-date=May 8, 2020}}</ref> During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta]], the UCP faced funding challenges.<ref name="CBC_Bellefontaine_20200416">{{Cite news| last = Bellefontaine | first = Michelle |work=CBC News| title = Despite millions in donations, UCP ends year with $2.3M deficit| access-date = November 18, 2021| date = April 16, 2020| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-political-parties-donations-finances-1.5533843}}</ref> The party raised $5 million by the end of 2020.<ref name="CTV_Nimmock_20211101">{{Cite news| last = Nimmock| first = Kevin| title = Alberta's NDP far ahead of UCP in annual fundraising| work = CTV News| location = Calgary| access-date = November 18, 2021| date = November 1, 2021| url = https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-s-ndp-far-ahead-of-ucp-in-annual-fundraising-1.5647238}}</ref> In November 2021, caucus members raised concerns about Kenney's leadership, which is up for review in April 2022—Kenney's poll numbers dropped dramatically and fundraising lagged behind the NDP.<ref name="CBC_Bennett_20211118">{{Cite news| last = Bennett| first = Dean| title = Fundraising questions raised as Kenney, UCP delegates prepare for annual meeting| work = CBC News| access-date = November 18, 2021| date = November 18, 2021| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fundraising-questions-raised-as-kenney-ucp-delegates-prepare-for-annual-meeting-1.6253288}}</ref> == Platform and position == The UCP has been described by media outlets as [[Centre-right politics|centre-right]]<ref name="CBC_20190416">{{cite news |title=Jason Kenney rides UCP wave to majority government in Alberta |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-election-day-1.5099183 |agency=CBC}}</ref><ref name="calgaryherald_20190416">{{cite news |title=Alberta Election 2019 Interactive Results: 'Today we begin to fight back' says Kenney, as UCP forms majority government |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/live-alberta-voters-head-to-polls |date=April 16, 2019}}</ref><ref name="canadianencyclopedia_Marshall_20190412">{{cite web |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/jason-kenney|title=Jason Kenney|first=Tabitha|last=Marshall|date=April 12, 2019|website=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |access-date=November 4, 2019|quote="he wanted to unite the province’s centre-right parties [...] In July, the PCs merged with the Wildrose Party"}}</ref> to [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]].<ref name="CBC_20190416" /><ref name="theguardian_20190417">{{cite news |title=Canada: Jason Kenney and United Conservatives win Alberta election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/17/canada-jason-kenney-and-united-conservatives-win-alberta-election |work=The Guardian |date=17 April 2019}}</ref> The party held its founding convention to set its official policies on May 5, 2018.<ref name="calgaryherald_Wood_20180208">{{cite web|first=James |last=Wood |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/kenney-takes-charge-of-ucp |title=Jason Kenney takes charge of UCP, seeks seat in legislature by Christmas |work=Calgary Herald |date=2017-10-29 |access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/united-conservative-party-next-steps-1.4217922|title=Alberta's new United Conservative Party is a go. What happens next?|agency=CBC News|access-date=2017-07-26|language=en}}</ref> The UCP adopted an aggressive pro-fossil fuel stance supported by the establishment of what was commonly referred to as the "War Room" backed by a budget of $30 million using a private corporation structure that is not subject to FOIP.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/war-room-officially-opens-canadian-energy-centre-ready-to-target-lies-and-misinformation/|website=Calgary Herald|access-date=2020-05-08|title=War room officially opens; Canadian Energy Centre ready to target 'lies' and 'misinformation'}}</ref> The pro-fossil fuel stance is also supported by a strong opposition to green [[energy transition]] which they view as an "ideological scheme".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alberta premier calls energy transition an 'ideological scheme'|url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/04/24/news/alberta-premier-calls-energy-transition-ideological-scheme|last1=News|first1=Emma McIntosh |date=2020-04-24|website=National Observer|language=en|access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref> The [[Canadian Energy Centre]] was launched in December 2019 with an annual budget of CA$30 million.<ref name="CBC_Heydari_20190607">{{Cite web |last=Heydari |first=Anis |title=Jason Kenney touts $ 2.84 M 'war room' but provides few details |agency=CBC News |access-date=October 27, 2019 |date=June 7, 2019 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/jason-kenney-war-room-calgary-1.5167205}}</ref><ref name="CTV_News_Villani_20200223">{{cite news |last1=Villani |first1=Mark |title=Alberta government officially launches 'Energy War Room' in Calgary |url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-government-officially-launches-energy-war-room-in-calgary-1.4725058 |access-date=23 February 2020 |agency=CTV News Calgary |date=11 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The UCP attempted to restructure the Alberta Healthcare system by passing Bill 21,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill 21 – 2019|url=https://docs.assembly.ab.ca/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_30/session_1/20190521_bill-021.pdf}}</ref> and then using this bill to support tearing up the Master Agreement with the [[Alberta Medical Association]] and imposing major fee structure changes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/braid-ucp-cancels-doctor-pay-contract-imposes-radical-change/|website=Calgary Herald|access-date=2020-05-08|title=Braid: UCP cancels doctor pay contract, imposes radical change}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/corbella-ucps-shameful-treatment-of-alberta-doctors-leads-to-lawsuit/|website=Calgary Herald|access-date=2020-05-08|title=Corbella: UCP's shameful treatment of Alberta doctors leads to lawsuit}}</ref> The UCP under [[Danielle Smith]] government passed its [[Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act]] on December 8, 2022. ==Controversies== ===2017 leadership race RCMP investigation=== On March 16, 2019, it came to light that during the UCP leadership election campaign Jason Kenney's leadership campaign collaborated with fellow candidate Jeff Callaway's campaign to undermine the leadership campaign of former Wildrose party leader Brian Jean.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/kenney-callaway-campaigns-collaborated-against-brian-jean-1.5059899|title=Kenney, Callaway campaigns collaborated to attack Brian Jean during UCP leadership race, leaked documents show|date=March 16, 2019|website=CBC}}</ref> A document prepared by Callaway's communication's manager describes how Kenney's campaign provided communications support as well as planned regular strategic direction throughout Callaway's campaign.<ref name=":0" /> The Alberta Elections Commissioner levied more than $200,000 in fines relating to the kamikaze campaign<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/election-commissioner-issues-more-fines-in-kamikaze-ucp-leadership-campaign/|website=edmontonjournal.com|access-date=2020-05-08|title=Election commissioner issues more fines in 'kamikaze' UCP leadership campaign}}</ref> prior to the Elections Commissioner's termination by the UCP government and conclusion of open investigations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/braid-ucp-pulls-the-rug-from-under-leadership-investigator/|website=calgaryherald.com|access-date=2020-05-08|title=Braid: In brazen move, UCP fires the commissioner investigating its leadership scandal}}</ref> The 2017 UCP leadership race remains under investigation by the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police|RCMP]] for alleged use of identity fraud in the voting process.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Allegations of voter fraud levelled against Jason Kenney in UCP leadership race|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/allegations-of-voter-fraud-levelled-against-jason-kenney-in-ucp-leadership-race-1.4375038|last=Staff|first=CTVNews ca|date=2019-04-10|website=CTVNews|language=en|access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref> The UCP supports replacing the RCMP with a provincial police force.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/ucp-provincial-police-push-causing-stress-and-strain-on-alberta-rcmp-commanding-officer-1.5649705|title = UCP provincial police push causing 'stress and strain' on Alberta RCMP: Commanding Officer|date = 2 November 2021}}</ref> ===Gay–Straight Alliance clubs=== Kenney proposed to allow schools to notify parents when their children joined Gay–Straight Alliance clubs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ucp-oppose-gsa-bill-ban-parental-notification-1.4391317|title=UCP opposes GSA bill banning parental notification|work=CBC News|date=November 7, 2017|access-date=February 26, 2018}}</ref> The Notley government drafted and passed Bill 24, which forbade teachers from outing children who were members of the GSAs. The matter once again caused controversy after the UCP Policy Convention in May 2018, when members of the party voted to adopt the policy whereby schools inform parents when their children have joined a GSA.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ucp-gay-straight-alliance-motion-1.4650727|title=UCP members ignore MLA pleas to vote against gay-straight alliance motion|date=May 6, 2018}}</ref> UCP MLAs [[Ric McIver]], [[Jason Nixon]], and [[Leela Aheer]] all opposed the policy, and despite urging members to vote against adopting the policy, it was passed with 57% of the vote. ===Factions=== Some MLA’s, including Drew Barnes, Donna Kennedy-Glans, and Angela Pitt called for greater [[Autonomism (political doctrine)|autonomy for Alberta]].<ref name="CBC_Dryden_20200624">{{cite news |last1=Dryden |first1=Joel |title=2 'fair deal' panel members at loggerheads after report's release |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/fair-deal-drew-barnes-donna-kennedy-glans-alberta-at-noon-1.5618178 |access-date=24 June 2020 |agency=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=Jun 18, 2020}}</ref><ref name="CBC_Franklin_20200624">{{cite news |last1=Franklin |first1=Michael |title=UCP MLA Angela Pitt mulls idea of autonomous Alberta with social media post |url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/ucp-mla-angela-pitt-mulls-idea-of-autonomous-alberta-with-social-media-post-1.4978435 |access-date=24 June 2020 |agency=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=June 10, 2020}}</ref> Angela Pitt and sixteen other MLAs denounced Kenney's COVID-19 restrictions in April 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ross |first1=Tom |title=Alberta MLA maintains opposition to some COVID-19 health measures |url=https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2021/04/28/alberta-mla-maintains-opposition-to-some-covid-19-health-measures/ |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=CityNews |date=April 28, 2021}}</ref> Pitt and others joined the "End the Lockdowns" national caucus of elected officials.<ref>{{cite news |title=2 of Premier Kenney's caucus members join coalition fighting COVID-19 restrictions |url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/2-of-premier-kenney-s-caucus-members-join-coalition-fighting-covid-19-restrictions-1.5303102 |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=CTV News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=February 10, 2021}}</ref> [[Drew Barnes]], who was MLA for [[Cypress-Medicine Hat]] and [[Todd Loewen]], formerly UCP MLA for [[Grande Prairie-Smoky]], were expelled from the UCP caucus in May 2021 for "repeatedly speaking out against government decisions."<ref name="globalnews_Vernon_202105">{{Cite news| last = Vernon| first = Tom| title = Former UCP MLA Drew Barnes explores forming a new rural Alberta political party | work = Global News| access-date = November 18, 2021| date = October 11, 2021| url = https://globalnews.ca/news/8258691/former-ucp-mla-drew-barnes-exploring-for-new-rural-alberta-political-party/}}</ref> Kenney evicted [[Leela Aheer]], MLA for [[Chestermere-Rocky View]] from cabinet in July 2021 after she criticizing the premier for his response to the pandemic during the fourth wave.<ref name="globalnews_Bennett_20210915">{{Cite news| last = Bennett| first = Dean| title = UCP backbencher Leela Aheer urges Kenney to admit he botched COVID-19 response, take action| work = Global News via Canadian Press| access-date = November 18, 2021| date = September 15, 2021| url = https://globalnews.ca/news/8193096/leela-aheer-jason-kenney-alberta-covid-19/}}</ref> At the September 28, 2021 Free Alberta Strategy initiative conference, three MLAs Angela Pitt, Jason Stephan and [[Nathan Cooper (Canadian politician)|Nathan Cooper]], who is UCP Speaker of the House and head of the UCP caucus, said they no longer had confidence in Kenney as Premier,<ref>{{Cite news| last = White| first = Ryan| title = UCP MLA Angela Pitt says she no longer has confidence in Premier Kenney| work = CTV Calgary| accessdate = 2021-11-19| date = 2021-09-28| url = https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/ucp-mla-angela-pitt-says-she-no-longer-has-confidence-in-premier-kenney-1.5603846}}</ref> in response to their growing dissatisfaction the UCP's response to COVID-19. In spite of their criticism, neither Pitt nor [[Leela Aheer]] were expelled from caucus.<ref>{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Ryan |title=UCP MLA Angela Pitt says she no longer has confidence in Premier Kenney |url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/ucp-mla-angela-pitt-says-she-no-longer-has-confidence-in-premier-kenney-1.5603846 |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=CTV News |date=September 28, 2021}}</ref> ==Leaders== {{See also|2017 United Conservative Party leadership election|2022 United Conservative Party leadership election}} {| class="wikitable" |- |+ List of Leaders |- ! scope="col" | No. ! scope="col" | Leader ! scope="col" | Term |- |Interim |[[Nathan Cooper (Canadian politician)|Nathan Cooper]] |July 24, 2017 – October 28, 2017 |- | scope ="row" | 1 |[[Jason Kenney]] |October 28, 2017 – October 6, 2022 |- | scope ="row" | 2 |[[Danielle Smith]] |October 6, 2022 – present |} {| class="wikitable" |- |+ List of Deputy Leaders |- ! scope="col" | No. ! scope="col" | Deputy Leader ! scope="col" | Term |- | scope ="row" | 1 |[[Mike Ellis (Canadian politician)|Mike Ellis]] |July 25, 2017 – October 30, 2017 |- | scope ="row" | 2 |[[Leela Aheer]] |October 30, 2017 – 2021<ref>{{cite news |last1=Heintz|first1=Lauryn|title=Leela Aheer out as minister after Kenney shuffles cabinet|url=https://www.airdrietoday.com/rocky-view-news/leela-aheer-out-as-minister-after-kenney-shuffles-cabinet-3955326|access-date=24 October 2022|work=Airdrie Today|date=July 16, 2021}}</ref> |} == Electoral results == {| class=wikitable style="text-align: left;" |- ! Election ! Leader ! Votes ! % ! Seats ! +/– ! Position ! Government |- ! [[2019 Alberta general election|2019]] | [[Jason Kenney]] | 1,040,004 | 54.88% | {{Composition bar|63|87|hex={{Canadian party colour|AB|UCP}}}} | {{steady}} 63 | {{steady}} 1st | {{yes2|Majority}} |- ![[2023 Alberta general election|2023]] | [[Danielle Smith]] | 928,896 | 52.63% | {{Composition bar|49|87|hex={{Canadian party colour|AB|UCP}}}} | {{decrease}} 14 | {{steady}} 1st | {{yes2|Majority}} |} ==Notes== {{reflist|group=note}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[https://www.unitedconservative.ca/Content/UnityAgreementInPrinciple.pdf Unity Agreement in Principle] -founding document {{S-start}} {{Succession box | title = [[Government of Alberta|Governing party of Alberta]] | years = 2019–present | before = [[Alberta New Democratic Party]] | after = }} {{S-end}} {{Alberta provincial political parties}} {{Alberta politics}} {{Canadian Conservative Parties}} {{Wildrose Party}} {{PC Alberta}} [[Category:United Conservative Party| ]] [[Category:2017 establishments in Alberta]] [[Category:Conservative parties in Canada]] [[Category:Organizations based in Calgary]] [[Category:Provincial political parties in Alberta]] [[Category:Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta]] [[Category:Wildrose Party]] [[Category:Political parties established in 2017]] [[Category:Social conservative parties]]'