Smith led the UCP to victory in a fiercely contested election,securing a reduced majority against Rachel Notley's New Democratic Party. The UCP's vote share declined slightly from 55% to 53%,resulting in the loss of eleven seats. Notably,the UCP came second in Calgary but won nearly all seats outside Edmonton and Calgary.
Anti-LGBTQ bills introduced
At the annual UCP caucus meeting on November 4,2023,Premier Smith received the loudest applause when she pledged support for "parental rights," a key principle of the influential Take Back Alberta (TBA) movement within the caucus,whose "freedom fighters" hold all 18 UCP board member seats. [38] Founded by David Parker,the group has played a major role in shaping the party's direction and policy decisions since gaining prominence in 2022. According to political scientist,Duane Bratt,the TBA was shifted support from Jason Kenney to Smith in the UCP leadership race.
The changes to the Bill of Rights and the new transgender health and sex-ed policies were influenced by UCP members at previous party conventions.
On October 30,2024,Premier Smith announced proposed changes to The Education Amendment Act,2024,The Fairness and Safety in Sport Act,and The Health Statutes Amendment Act,2024. At the United Conservative Party annual meeting on November 3–4,2024,with 6,000 Albertans participating,Premier Smith garnered a 91.5% approval rating for following through on her promises to the caucus.
On December 3,2024,the Alberta legislature passed bills banning doctors from treating those under 16 with puberty blockers or hormone therapy and banning transgender athletes from competing in female sports. They also passed a law requiring parental consent when students under 16 wish to change their gender pronouns. Bill 26,the Health Statutes Amendment Act 2024,bans gender-affirming surgeries for minors under 18 in Alberta. Smith said she might use the notwithstanding clause to protect these laws.
The policies regarding transgender youth in Alberta became law on December 5,2024,when Bills 26,27,and 29 received Royal Assent. These bills,introduced on October 31,2024,passed the final stage of debate in the legislature earlier that week. The legislation covers changes in education,healthcare,and sports affecting transgender and non-binary youth.
While the laws have been passed,their implementation dates vary. The Fairness and Safety in Sport Act is anticipated to take effect in fall 2025,and the amendments to the Education Act are expected to take effect in September 2025. The Health Statutes Amendment Act is expected to come into effect in the coming months following December 2024. As of January 31,2025,some of these laws have not yet been implemented.
According to an article in The Economist ,Saskatchewan's Parents' Bill of Rights, and New Brunswick's Policy 713 have been cited as "examples of the encroachment of American "culture wars" into Canadian politics". In Saskatchewan's case,Premier Scott Moe enshrined its policies in legislation called the Parents' Bill of Rights and invoked the constitution's Notwithstanding clause to protect it from legal challenges based on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Both the Parents' Bill of Rights and New Brunswick's Policy 713 have resulted in significant protests and counter-protests.
