Political Firestorm Brewing: UCP AGM in Edmonton to Debate RCMP Buyout, Flag Bans, and Vaccine Mandates

A palpable tension is building ahead of the upcoming United Conservative Party annual general meeting in Edmonton, where party members are preparing to debate a slate of bold and often controversial policy proposals.

 

This year's UCP AGM in Edmonton, scheduled for November 28-30, will see delegates vote on 35 resolutions that could dramatically reshape the province's political landscape.

 

These proposals, bubbling up from local constituency associations across Alberta, touch on everything from provincial policing and public health to the flags we fly on government buildings.

 

It's a clear signal that the party's grassroots base is energized and eager to set a firm direction for Premier Danielle Smith's government.

 

While these resolutions are not binding, they serve as a powerful barometer of the party's ideological mood, and history shows that ideas born at these conventions often find their way into official government policy.

 

A New Vision for Law and Order

 

Perhaps one of the most audacious proposals comes from the Calgary-Foothills constituency, which suggests a novel path toward creating a provincial police force.

 

Instead of building a new service from scratch, the resolution calls for the Alberta government to purchase the entire "assets and operations" of the RCMP's K Division.

 

The idea is to retain the experienced officers and infrastructure that Albertans are familiar with, avoiding the logistical and political headaches seen in places like Surrey, B.C., during its police transition.

 

Proponents argue this approach—acquiring the Mounties rather than replacing them—would preserve institutional knowledge while still achieving the goal of provincial autonomy in policing.

 

The resolution, however, leaves unanswered questions about the potential cost and the legal feasibility of such a historic purchase.

 

Another resolution focuses on self-defence, urging the province to strengthen the legal framework for citizens protecting their family, person, and property.

 

Culture and Identity Take Center Stage

 

The cultural debates roiling across North America are clearly reflected in the resolutions set for the UCP AGM in Edmonton.

 

A particularly eye-catching proposal from Calgary-South East and Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin seeks to restrict flags flown on provincially and municipally funded properties.

 

The policy would permit only official government flags, such as those of Canada, Alberta, or the local municipality, to be displayed.

 

The justification provided is that flying flags of "special interest groups" creates "ideological division" and harms the province's social fabric.

 

This move is widely seen as a response to the increasing prevalence of Pride flags, Treaty 6 flags, and other non-governmental banners on public buildings.

 

Education is another key battleground.

 

One resolution calls for a review of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in K-12 schools to ensure political neutrality and a focus on academics.

 

Another from Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright directly targets Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), demanding that schools fully disclose a child's participation in such extracurricular groups to their parents.

 

This represents a direct challenge to previous policies that prioritized student privacy and confidentiality in sensitive situations.

 

Health Freedom and Pandemic Echoes

 

The lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is evident in several health-focused resolutions.

 

One powerful proposal would prohibit any provincially funded institution from using a person's vaccination history as a condition of employment.

 

It goes further, calling for a "pause" on the use of mRNA vaccines until their safety can be independently verified, a stance that runs counter to established public health consensus.

 

Another resolution, backed by five separate constituency associations, aims to end community water fluoridation, framing it as "medical treatment without consent."

 

Members will also vote on a proposal to ensure that no mRNA products are injected into Alberta's livestock or food sources.

 

Restrictions on public services for certain residents are also on the table, with a resolution to limit provincially funded health care and social benefits to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and recognized refugees.

 

The proposal explicitly states that temporary residents, visitors, and undocumented individuals should be responsible for paying for their own services.

 

This is framed as a necessary response to what the resolution's authors call the federal government's "unsustainable" immigration policies, which they claim are straining provincial resources.

 

The Unrelenting Fight with Ottawa

 

A strong undercurrent of provincial sovereignty runs through many of the resolutions, continuing the UCP's well-established adversarial stance toward the federal government.

 

Members will reaffirm their support for replacing the Canada Pension Plan with an Alberta Pension Plan, on the condition it guarantees equal or better benefits for seniors.

 

Another resolution pushes back against federal attempts to regulate industrial carbon emissions within Alberta, asserting provincial jurisdiction over natural resources.

 

There is also a strong push for pipeline expansion to tidewater on all three coasts, a long-standing goal of Alberta's conservative movement.

 

As members gather in Edmonton, the debates and votes will offer a fascinating glimpse into the heart of Alberta's governing party.

 

The results will send a clear message to the Premier and her cabinet about the priorities of their most dedicated supporters.

 

For political observers in Edmonton and across the province, this AGM is shaping up to be mandatory viewing.

 

This article's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

What are the key resolutions at the UCP AGM in Edmonton?

Key resolutions include a proposal to buy the RCMP's Alberta operations, restricting flags on public property to official government flags only, prohibiting vaccine mandates in provincially funded institutions, and demanding parental notification for student participation in Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs).

 

When and where is the 2025 UCP AGM?

The United Conservative Party's annual general meeting will be held in Edmonton from November 28 to November 30, 2025.

 

Will the UCP resolutions become government policy?

While the resolutions passed at the UCP AGM are not automatically binding on the government, they have historically influenced the party's platform and legislative priorities. Many resolutions passed in previous years have been adopted or are in the process of becoming official government policy.