Danielle Smith

Marlaina Danielle Smith (born April 1, 1971) is a Canadian politician, former lobbyist, former columnist and media personality who has served as the 19th premier of Alberta and leader of the United Conservative Party (UCP) since 2022. Born in Calgary, Smith attended the University of Calgary and earned degrees in English and economics. After briefly serving as a trustee for the Calgary Board of Education, she worked as a journalist in print, radio and television, offering opinions on politics and healthcare. During this time she also worked as the director of provincial affairs for Alberta with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. She entered provincial politics in 2009, becoming the leader of the Wildrose Party. Smith contributed to the growth of the party, which formed the Official Opposition after the 2012 Alberta general election. Smith won a seat in the Legislative Assembly for Highwood in that election, and served as Leader of the Opposition until 2014, when she resigned to join the governing Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta (PCs). Smith was defeated in her bid for the PC nomination in Highwood for the 2015 election. Between 2015 and 2022, Smith worked in talk radio and served as the president of the Alberta Enterprise Group. Following Premier Jason Kenney's resignation announcement on May 18, 2022, Smith announced her campaign in the United Conservative Party leadership election. On October 6, Smith won the leadership on the sixth count. She was sworn in as premier on October 11, 2022, and became MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat on November 8, 2022. She led the UCP to reelection as a majority government in the 2023 general election. Smith's policies have primarily focused on extending Albertan provincial autonomy. In 2022, her government passed the Alberta Sovereignty Act, which seeks to protect Alberta from federal policies it deems...