Jason Stephan, MLA, Red Deer-South. (Image Credit: rdnewsNOW file photo)

By The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

United Conservatives express patriotism after MLA supports separatist petition

Mar 30, 2026 | 3:58 PM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and members of her United Conservative government expressed their unwavering love for Canada today as the Opposition NDP accused them of harbouring a separatist.

Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams pointed to the singing of the national anthem at the start of legislature sitting as a sign of their staunch patriotism.

And Smith reiterated her long-standing support for what she calls a sovereign Alberta within a United Canada.

The debate came just days after UCP backbencher Jason Stephan publicly pushed for Albertans to sign a petition calling for a referendum on separatism.

Stephan, who is also the premier’s parliamentary secretary for constitutional affairs, declined to stop to answer questions from reporters on his way into the house.

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NDP deputy leader Rakhi Pancholi says Stephan’s statements prove Smith’s caucus harbours separatists and she reiterated a call for Stephan to be removed from the UCP benches.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2026.