Smith says fixed election dates exist ‘for a reason’; sees no reason to rush to polls

The premier says she won't call voters to the polls early despite a prominent cabinet minister's departure and two dozen recall petitions.

Premier Danielle Smith says Albertans shouldn’t expect an early provincial election in 2026.

Smith told CTV News she won’t call voters to the polls early, despite the recent departure of a prominent cabinet minister and the caucus threat of two dozen recall petitions.

“We have fixed election dates in this province for a reason, and our fixed election date is set for Oct. 18, 2027,” Smith said.

“The whole reason we have fixed election dates is so people have certainty and can do their planning.”

Rebecca Schulz stepped down as environment and protected places minister earlier this week.

On Friday, she was officially replaced by Taber-Warner MLA and former associate minister of water, Grant Hunter.

Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams believes the departure, paired with the petitions and what’s expected to be a tough budget, could spark an early call, regardless of what Smith is saying publicly.

“My first thought was that the government is preparing for the possibility of an early election,” Williams said.

“They want to know who’s going to be with them going into the election—who wants to stay or run again.”

“But that will depend on the polls, and we just don’t know what their internal polls are saying right now,” she said.

The premier says the polls seem just fine.

“I’m not quite sure why everyone is so anxious to rush into an election,” Smith said Friday.

“The credible polling I’ve seen suggests we would do very, very well in an early election.”

“We’ve got a mandate that we want to execute over the next two years, and we intend to continue doing so,” she said.

The most recent public polling, Leger’s October Government of Alberta Report Card, predicts a slight UCP lean in the next election among decided voters.

That’s despite a growing segment that believes the province is headed in the wrong direction and slipping support for Smith, according to the poll.

In a statement Wednesday, Schulz said the timing is right for her to step down from cabinet.

She denied a CTV News interview request.

In her Friday availability, Smith added Albertans won’t vote until the Electoral Boundary Commission can create its planned two new ridings—a move the premier believes is needed because of an influx of new residents.