Smith Recall Campaign Cautiously Confident
The group that has been protesting outside MLA offices (Premier Danielle Smith and Justin Wright) is also involved in organizing and /or assisting with the recalls of both Medicine Hat MLAs. I spoke with some of the 28 protesters outside Wright’s office yesterday.
Organizers Confident
One of the people helping with the Smith recall campaign did not have an estimate of signatures collected so far but says they are fairly confident. They’re not resting though, they don’t want to become complacent. They’re encouraging everyone to come out and sign, they have until March 10 2026 to collect 12,070 signatures which is 60% of votes cast in ED in most recent election.
They’re not permitted to enter secure buildings like apartment buildings (election canvassers have the right to do so during an election period but a recall petition is different) so people must often come to them. If you call them, they will also come to your door.
The campaign in Brooks is ramping up with multiple signing locations, they started a few weeks later than Medicine Hat did. You can find signing locations here including in Brooks, the link will also be posted at the bottom of the article.
The group is outside Justin Wright’s office every Saturday Morning from 11-noon, McBride’s Bakery is also hosting a bunch of indoor signing opportunities, as well as Hometown Culinary and The Studio. You will see canvassers outside of Tigers games, as well as outside the Esplanade.
Concerns About Job Loss, Violence, Threats, Blowback
Organizers expressed concerns about people being told by their work that they cannot sign, never mind protest or canvass. People are reportedly scared of being fired. This could possibly be considered an offence under the Election Act. Everyone eligible has the right to participate in democracy. Info about this is at the bottom of the page.
Others are scared to attend a protest or sign a petition for fear of blowback from friends, family, coworkers, etc. Unlike other provinces, political belief is NOT a protected human right in Alberta. Here are the protections in Canada.
Just political belief: British Columbia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Québec.
Political belief and political activity: New Brunswick.
Political belief and political association: Northwest Territories.
Political belief, political association and political activity: Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Yukon.
No political protections: Federal, Alberta, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan.
Source HR Insider published Nov 2025
At an organizational event in December, organizers emphasized keeping canvassers safe, telling them to work in pairs among other safety precautions.
Meanwhile The Owl has witnessed intimidation tactics in person - from people driving by yelling obscenities to the one finger salute to a jackass “rolling coal” while driving by the protestors - check out the photo I took after the truck went by.
The Owl does NOT condone threats or violence to anyone exercising their democratic rights.
How the Recall Process Works
In a nutshell -
Just because people are collecting signatures does not mean that they will be successful. If they’re unsuccessful, they will be able point to the threats and intimidation tactics as the reason. That’s not a good look.
Even IF the recall petition is successful, it does not mean the MLA is immediately removed. A Recall Vote must first be held. If your candidate is so weak that you must use threats and intimidation to make sure they are elected, then you have already failed.
This also applies to the current citizen’s initiative petition for separation from Canada. They need to collect 177,732 signatures which is 10% of the electors on the post-election day. Even if they collect enough signatures, it does not mean separation. They must first hold a referendum.
Full details about the process from Elections Alberta below
Recall Petition Signing Locations
The campaigns to Recall Danielle Smith and to Recall Justin Wright are working together, many of the signing locations will have canvassers from both campaigns.
You can check which riding you are in at the link below or canvassers can look it up at the signing site.
A Message from Your Furry & Feathered Guardians
Look, the Trash Panda didn’t get this good at digging by leaving a paper trail.
And the Owl sees everything, but is a notorious snitch?
Please
We protect our sources with the same zeal we protect a good dumpster. The Trash Panda digs in. The Owl watches, silent, unseen, ready to act. Your confidence is guarded by both. If you’ve been leaned on, scared, or strong-armed over these recall campaigns, we’ve got your back. Tell us what they don't want found.
Our silence is non-negotiable. Full stop. It’s a principle, not a mood.
Let’s give intimidation the middle claw.
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Info About Recall Act Violations
55(1) A person commits an offence if the person
(c) subject to the regulations, in any manner exerts undue influence on an individual, within the meaning of section 175 of the Election Act, in respect of the signing of a recall petition,
Section 175 of the Election Act says
Undue influence
175(1) A person commits a corrupt practice who,
(a) either personally or by any other person on the person’s behalf,
(i) uses or threatens to use force or restraint,
(ii) inflicts or threatens to inflict harm or loss, or
(iii) in any manner practises intimidation,
on or against an elector in order to induce or compel the elector to vote or not to vote, or on account of the elector having voted or not having voted, or
(b) by abduction, duress or any false or fraudulent pretence or device
(i) prevents or interferes with the free exercise of the franchise of an elector, or
(ii) induces or prevails on an elector to vote or refrain from voting.
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