Breaking - Recall Petition For Premier Smith Issued - Signature Collection Starts Tomorrow
Elections Alberta has issued the recall petition for Premier / Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Danielle Smith . Signature collection starts tomorrow.
Only people eligible to vote in her riding may sign the petition or work as canvassers. People who are not eligible to vote are still able to help in other ways.
Elections Alberta says “Unlike candidates in elections who have legislated access for campaigning purposes, canvassers are not guaranteed access to rental properties or multi-unit dwellings. Contact the landlord or property manager to request access….There are no provisions under the Recall Act requiring landlords, businesses, or recreation centres to provide access to canvassers.”
By the Numbers
Signature collection ends March 10 2026. Canvassers will need at least 12,070 valid signatures (60% of votes cast in the last election).
The signature collection period is 90 days. To break it down, canvassers will have to collect at least 135 signatures every day.
5 canvassers will each need to collect at least 2,414 signatures.
10 canvassers will each need to collect at least 1,207 signatures.
20 canvassers will each need to collect 604 signatures.
Recall Danielle Smith Organizers Press Release
The most recent press release from the organizers states
"Smith has rarely been seen in her riding of Brooks-Medicine Hat. In 2025 she appeared for three mandatory events: constituency week, the Alberta Next panel, and a public town hall in Medicine Hat, a presence that constituents say is far too infrequent.
“People here want more than three sightings a year,” Heather V. said. “And not just for the big stuff, but also for the smaller, everyday connections. You can’t represent a community you don’t show up for. Constituents deserve timely communication, regular engagement, and an MLA who takes their concerns seriously.”
NB - No mention was made of how many times Smith has appeared in her entire riding, just in Medicine Hat. Smith’s riding includes other communities such as Brooks, Redcliff, Suffield, Rolling Hills, Duchess, Rosemary, Bassano, etc.
The organizers also expressed concerns about threats made towards organizers, saying,
“For safety reasons, last names of petition organizers have been withheld due to threats made against individuals involved in the initiative. “
The Owl has seen a number of social media posts threatening violence to people knocking on their door for the petition.
The Owl condemns any and all violence and wants to remind the public -
The petition may not be successful. If you do not want to sign, tell them no. There is no need to be threaten violence.
Even if the petition is successful it does not automatically remove the MLA.
A recall vote must be held within 4 months of the publication of a successful petition.
The recall vote is only successful if more than 50% votes for recall.
The MLA is then removed and a by-election is called (subject to timing issues in the legislation).
If the party and/or the MLA has a strong enough following, then they should not fear a recall petition.
To quote Salvor Hardin, the first Mayor of Terminus, in the Foundation Books by Isaac Asmiov
"Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent"
Full press release, Dec 9 2025
The Owl followed one of the organizers as she hand delivered the information about the petition being approved to Danielle Smith’s Medicine Hat satellite constituency office last week.
From Elections Alberta
Premier Danielle Smith’s Member Response
From Danielle Smith’s FB page Dec 5 2025
