Alberta's United Conservative Party faces backlash for pledge that limits riding presidents' independence talk

Résumé détaillé

Some senior party organizers refuse to sign a new NDA stating they'll "abide by" the referendum result.

The UCP is facing pushback from some of its top organizers for demanding all riding presidents sign a non-disclosure agreement that declares they “recognize, respect and will abide by” results of the separation referendum.

Party brass recently made candidates for upcoming provincial board elections sign a declaration that they will abide by the referendum decision. Now it’s extending that condition to all 87 current presidents of UCP constituency associations.

“I understand and acknowledge that my public statements and actions as a CA president will have a direct impact on the reputation of the CA and the association,” says the combination NDA and code of conduct sent by party executive director Dustin van Vugt, and obtained by CBC News.

“Accordingly, I wish to clearly state that I recognize, respect, and will abide by the majority decision made by Albertans on Question #10 of the 26/10/19 referendum.”

In an email to riding presidents, van Vugt requested they all sign and return the pledge by this Friday.

But multiple riding presidents are reluctant or unwilling to sign the document, and are calling it an unfair way to stifle their speech.

“It’s not wise to be trying to suppress when we should be trying to unify,” said Darrell Komick, president of the United Conservative association for Calgary-Lougheed.

Komick has led one of the party’s most outspoken local groups, having hosted past forums that questioned Alberta’s place within Canada and the safety of COVID vaccines. He also ran unsuccessfully for party president last fall, promising a greater embrace of the pro-independence position.

“As the party of free speech, we should understand that that comes with risks as a party, but it also comes with rewards,” Komick told CBC News.

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