Once again, Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP) finds itself mired in controversy and is again sowing class divisions and distractions. Many see this as politics as usual, continuing a pattern of working-class attacks, cronyism, and corruption. But for others, this moment marks a breaking point, amplifying resentment and resistance.
Separatist distractions
Following the Liberal’s federal victory, Alberta separatist rhetoric resurged, prompting UCP’s Election Statutes Amendment Act, which facilitates citizen petitions for referendums on issues like separation. Enacted in May, this bill was a dog whistle to the far right, and a distraction from ongoing UCP scandals. Indigenous nations across Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10 have condemned separatism as unconstitutional, as it ignores treaties that predate Alberta and affirm Indigenous sovereignty. Moreover, the Federal Clarity Act, which outlines the process for seceding from Canada, affirms that Indigenous rights, and treaties must be recognized. Despite these challenges, the UCP continues to wield separatism as a divisive tool to deflect accountability and maintain ruling-class domination.
Ongoing scandals, party cracks and mismanagement
Lift the curtain on Alberta separatism and it’s no surprise to find capitalist corruption, scandal, and fiscal mismanagement. The Alberta Health Care scandal persists (amongst others), with fresh allegations of UCP contract corruption tied to private surgical procurement. This has even caused two UCP MLAs to break ranks and support the NDP’s recent call for a public inquiry. Prioritizing profit and the fossil fuel industry over public health and the environment, the UCP also lifted a coal moratorium, opening 190,000 hectares of sensitive land without public consultation, risking water contamination, and violating Indigenous rights. This is despite an overwhelming 77 percent of Albertans opposing coal mining in the Rockies.
If enriching themselves and private industry at the expense of the economy, workers and the environment wasn’t bad enough, the UCP is also projecting a $5.2-billion deficit for the 2025/26 fiscal year. Exacerbated by US tariffs and declining oil revenues, this financial mismanagement effectively threatens future prosperity and economic stability. Shockingly, a recent study from the Fraser Institute suggests that the UCP has potentially underestimated this shortfall, and projects that the deficit could be as high as $8.7 billion.
Missing opposition – silence on the left
Unfortunately, the opposition parties continue to be largely absent in Alberta. The NDP, lacking any clear or coherent working-class policies, and similarly acting as a servant of the extractive capitalist fossil fuel industry in Alberta, continues to tack more towards the centre, losing ever greater electorate support. The Liberals offer even less meaningful opposition. This has left many Albertans feeling alienated, with a growing discontent, frustration, and anger in the face of the UCP graft.
New opportunities, or more of the same?
Rising corruption, party fractures, and voter discontent suggest the UCP may be in trouble, though without clear opposition, it may not matter. In response, Albertans are turning to organizing on the streets. Groups like Alberta Resistance and AWARE MHAB hold regular protests and led a province-wide demonstration on May 10 opposing UCP policies and calling for democratic reforms. Common Horizon, a “mass movement of working-class people,” is gaining traction in Calgary and Edmonton, while unions across Alberta continue to build support for working-class solidarity and UCP resistance.
Although community groups and nonprofits are taking local action to fill gaps in social services and political opposition, they often act in isolation and lack the resources needed to challenge the ruling-class parties. Many also lack a clear class analysis, avoiding drawing distinctions to maintain a “big tent” approach to organizing. Without a class perspective, these centrist movements will be unable to do more than rearrange the chairs on the Titanic.
On the other hand, this suggests an opening for socialists to advance a meaningful platform of working-class policies based on equality, justice and that is environmentally sound. Now more than ever, the working class must act boldly and build bridges across peoples and cultures, with clear road signs that state, “on this side of the bridge lies a better world for all, made together by Socialists.”
