Alberta separatist Jeff Rath kicked out of governing United Conservative Party

In an email, the party said he had 'made clear' he did 'not support' party Alex Boyd · CBC News · Posted: Oct 30, 2026 PM EDT | Last Updated: 8 hours ago Play article Estimated 4 minutes The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Jeffrey Rath, co-founder of the Alberta Prosperity Project, speaks to journalists at a referendum watch party in Edmonton, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (John Ulan/The Canadian Press) Separatist leader Jeff Rath, who rose to prominence in the lead-up to the Alberta referendum in his white cowboy hat, has had his membership revoked . In an email sent to Rath on Thursday and viewed , Dustin Van Vugt, the party's executive director, said that Rath's "words and actions have made clear" that he does not support the party or its objectives. "Your public conduct in relation to our party and leader has not met the basic standard of decency we expect of our members when they disagree or otherwise." His membership was revoked immediately, Van Vugt wrote. After Albertans voted decisively to remain within Canada on Oct. 19, Premier Danielle Smith made it clear the UCP would be a federalist party going forward. But with pre-referendum polling suggesting that independence was popular among UCP members, there's been much speculation about how she would address the separatist faction within her base. Ahead of next month's party AGM, any aspiring board members are now required to sign a declaration that they'll abide . Rath is the first separatist leader to be asked to leave. In a phone call, Rath said his ouster had less to do with his separatist beliefs than with how he's expressed his criticisms more broadly. "I'm a very loud and effective critic of Danielle Smith," he said. "She obviously does not want free speech in the party." In an email, a party spokesperson said the decision was made because of Rath's "public conduct toward the party and its leader." Rath said he also received an email from the UCP notifying him the party had refunded the $239 he paid in order to attend next month's AGM. Rath and Smith have publicly sparred over their differing views on Alberta’s place in Confederation. Rath has dismissed the premier as an "avowed federalist" and mused about trying to push her out of the party leadership. Smith, meanwhile, has maintained that she was always on team Canada and, after the referendum, warned anyone not on board that they would need to join a different party.