By Canadian Press

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says conservatives must learn to win in ‘big cities’

Mar 23, 2023 | 12:18 PM

OTTAWA — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says conservatives must learn how to win in “big cities.”

Smith made the comment to a room of conservatives gathered in Ottawa for the annual conference of the Canada Strong and Free Network, formerly called the Manning Centre.

With Albertans set to go the polls in a provincial election this year, Smith says the United Conservative Party has more ground to gain in the province’s two largest cities: Calgary and Edmonton. 

Smith replaced Jason Kenney as party leader and premier last fall, after he resigned following a leadership review where he received only 51 per cent support. 

Kenney faced considerable backlash leading up to that vote for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Smith told today’s crowd that the party had lost “a lot” of its base. 

IN THE COMMUNITY

'March for Meals' dedicates month to delivering meals for Medicine Hat seniors

9h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Mustard Seed closes Medicine Hat daytime centre permanently

Mar 01, 2025

IN THE COMMUNITY

The Mustard Seed closing daytime services permanently after today

Feb 28, 2025

Smith’s belief that conservatives must make inroads in large cities is shared by the federal Conservatives, with Leader Pierre Poilievre spending many of his weekends in Metro Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area — areas where his party has struggled to gain ground in the past several elections.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 23, 2023.

The Canadian Press