Alberta’s UCP: Scapegoating Immigrants to Advance a Separatist, Christo-fascism Agenda?

By Andries (Andy) Sytsema – Taking Alberta Forward, We Stand With Canada! February 22, 2026.

❤️ “I believe we should love our neighbours more than our government. We don’t get to choose our neighbours, but we do get to choose how we treat them—with respect, kindness, and freedom for all. As a proud Canadian, I stand by these words from former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker: 'I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.' That’s the Alberta—and Canada—I want to see moving forward.”

As an Albertan who loves this province and this country, I’ve watched with growing alarm as Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party (UCP) pivots from welcoming newcomers as a “tremendous blessing” to blaming them for every fiscal woe. This isn’t just political opportunism—it’s a calculated playbook drawn from extreme right-wing strategies like Project 2025, pre-Brexit anti-immigrant campaigns, and the UCP’s own separatist leanings via the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP). By stoking fears about immigration, Smith is deflecting from her government’s mismanagement while appealing to a White Christian nationalist base that dreams of a more authoritarian, exclusionary future. This rhetoric risks pushing Alberta toward Christo-fascism, where “Judeo-Christian” values are weaponized to justify division, control, and even separation from Canada. In this post, we’ll break it down: the flip-flop, the referendum, the opposition, the real fiscal culprits, and the dangerous ideological ties binding it all together.

Section 1: The Flip-Flop – From “Blessing” to Burden:

Just two years ago, on April 29, 2024, Danielle Smith celebrated Alberta’s population boom of over 202,000 people, declaring, “We expect that newcomers will continue flooding into Alberta. It’s a tremendous blessing.” Surrounded by smiling faces in a promotional graphic, she positioned the province as a magnet for growth, even pushing to double Alberta’s federal immigration allotment. Fast-forward to her February 20, 2026, televised address, and the tune has changed dramatically. Now, immigrants—particularly non-permanent residents like temporary foreign workers, students, and asylum seekers—are scapegoats for overcrowded schools, hospitals, and a ballooning deficit. Smith claims nearly 600,000 newcomers since 2020 have overwhelmed infrastructure, ignoring that this growth includes interprovincial migrants and natural increases, and that her own policies fueled it.

“Danielle Smith’s 2024 letter to Trudeau: Demanded Ottawa DOUBLE Alberta’s immigration spots (20k+ annually) + 10k more for Ukrainians to fix ‘critical labour shortages’ and grow our economy.

2026 reality: Blames Trudeau’s ‘open-border disaster’ for the exact influx straining services, announces Oct referendum to LIMIT immigration, restrict newcomer access to health/education/social supports.

Set-up complete: Lobby for more when Big Oil and the Oligarchy needs workers, then scapegoat Ottawa and immigrants’ when the bill hits working families. UCP classic—top vs. bottom, not left vs. right. While we’re divided, pockets get picked.”

This reversal isn’t accidental. It’s straight out of the Brexit playbook, where politicians hyped immigration as an economic boon until it became politically expedient to frame it as a threat to “British values” and services. Similarly, Smith’s rhetoric echoes the “great replacement theory” peddled in pre-Brexit campaigns and MAGA circles—a far-right conspiracy claiming elites are engineering demographic shifts to erode white, Western culture. Her executive director, Bruce McAllister, amplified this with a social media post questioning imports from “nations with failed systems” while praising “Judeo-Christian heritage,” drawing accusations of borderline racism. Critics like immigration lawyer Raj Sharma see shades of Brexit and Trump in these words, warning they stoke division without evidence.

The numbers tell a different story. Permanent immigrants totaled around 318,000 from 2020–2025, plus 88,000 net interprovincial migrants, for about 406,000—far short of Smith’s 600,000 claim, which inflates by including temporary residents. But as economists note, newcomers contribute through taxes and labor, boosting GDP in sectors like energy and construction. The real issue? Alberta’s growth outpaced infrastructure investment under the UCP, not because of immigrants, but due to fiscal choices we’ll explore later.

Section 2: The Referendum – Overstepping Boundaries to Divide and Conquer:

Smith’s solution? An October 19, 2026, referendum with nine questions: five on immigration restrictions and four on constitutional reforms for more provincial autonomy. The immigration proposals include Alberta taking control to prioritize “economic migrants,” a 12-month residency wait for social supports, fees for non-permanent residents’ health and education, and limiting services until newcomers “contribute sufficiently.” These echo Quebec’s model but go further, potentially infringing on federal jurisdiction under Section 95 of the Constitution Act, 1867, and Charter rights like equality (Section 15) and security of the person (Section 7).

The constitutional questions—abolishing the Senate, provincial judge appointments, opting out of federal programs with compensation, and prioritizing provincial laws—require national amendments under the 7/50 formula, making them largely symbolic. Analysts call this a “separatist agenda in disguise,” designed to rally the UCP base and provoke Ottawa, much like Brexit’s referendum weaponized anti-EU sentiment. Political scientist Duane Bratt warns it could “gut Canada,” undermining unity. Indigenous leaders decry potential overrides of Section 35 treaty rights in resource disputes.

This isn’t about sustainability—Smith admits she can’t quantify savings. It’s about division, mirroring Brexit’s false promises of reclaimed sovereignty and funds for services. Post-Brexit, the UK faced economic contraction and labor shortages; Alberta risks the same if it deters immigrants vital to its economy.

Section 3: Voices of Dissent – Experts, Faith Leaders, and Analysts Push Back:

The backlash has been swift and broad. Immigration experts like Peter Veress of Vermax Group call the referendum “misguided,” warning it could worsen labor shortages and deter investment. Lawyers Richard Kurland and Randy Hahn note feasibility issues without federal cooperation, especially for refugees. Economists emphasize newcomers’ net contributions, countering Smith’s “drain” narrative.

Faith leaders, often from immigrant communities, condemn the uncompassionate tone. The United Church of Canada’s Chinook Winds Region issued an open letter calling the proposals “invalid” and urging welcome for strangers, per biblical teachings. Groups like Moms Against Racism highlight dog-whistle rhetoric targeting people of color (POC). McAllister’s “Judeo-Christian” comments drew rebukes for hypocrisy, given Alberta’s diverse history.

Political analysts see pure deflection. Mount Royal University’s Lori Williams says blaming immigrants “doesn’t hold water.” NDP’s Rakhi Pancholi accuses Smith of “stoking hatred” to distract from affordability and health care. Former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk calls it scapegoating, likening it to past UCP targets like unions and judges. Reports of rising racism—harassment, slurs, and “go back” shouts—tie directly to this rhetoric, per the Canadian Anti-Hate Network.

Section 4: The Real Culprit – Fiscal Mismanagement and Corruption Under the UCP:

Immigration isn’t the problem; UCP governance is. Alberta’s population grew by ~600,000 since 2020 (reaching over 5 million by late 2025), but deficits arise from spending twice as fast as under the NDP, despite tripled royalties. Examples abound: bloated contracts, ideological boondoggles like the Alberta Pension Plan and provincial police (costing billions), corruption scandals including AHS procurement irregularities ($500M+ in private health deals tied to NHL perks), Turkish Tylenol waste, and RCMP probes. Severance for fired executives and bets like $1.5B on Keystone XL add up. Smith’s budget needs $75/barrel oil to balance—risky and unsustainable.

This mirrors Brexit’s diversion: blame outsiders for self-inflicted wounds. Analysts note Smith’s pre-budget address used immigration as a smokescreen for these failures.

Context Articles via Taking Alberta Forward:

A Shell Game of Deceit: How BRIK & APMC Are Milking Alberta Taxpayers Dry to Subsidize American Big Oil.

Alberta’s Hidden $3.5–4.5 Billion Handout to Oil & Gas in 2025: Why Taxpayers Are Footing the Bill While Services Suffer!

Section 5: The Bigger Picture – Project 2025, Brexit, and the March Toward Christo-Fascism:

This isn’t isolated—it’s part of a playbook blending Project 2025’s authoritarian blueprint, Brexit’s populist division, and the APP’s separatist push. Smith met Heritage Foundation reps (Project 2025 architects) post-2024 US election and visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago in 2025. APP leaders met Trump officials multiple times, seeking US recognition for an independent Alberta. Their fiscal plan promises tax-free prosperity via oil, ignoring climate realities. Smith walks a “tightrope” but enables separatists, lowering referendum thresholds via Bill 14.

Context Article via Taking Alberta Forward:

Alberta’s UCP: Importing Trumpism, Project 2025, and Christian Nationalism North of the Border.

James Talarico Delivers Sermon Against Christian Nationalism

Christo-fascism lurks beneath: an ideology fusing fascism with Christianity, emphasizing moral hegemony, patriarchal families, and authoritarianism. UCP policies—anti-LGBTQ laws, book bans (often targeting queer themes), and rhetoric from groups like Take Back Alberta—echo this. APP’s Mitch Sylvestre endorses “replacement theory,” fearing non-white, non-Christian immigration. This imports US Christo-fascism from Project 2025, which uses coded Christian language for exclusionary policies. In Canada, it manifests as efforts to impose “Christian values” via politics, as seen in UCP’s anti-trans bills and separatist town halls.

Conclusion: Time to Stand United Against Division

Dr. Raj Sherman, a former Alberta MLA, Associate Health Minister, emergency physician, and healthcare advocate.

“Immigrants did not break Alberta’s healthcare system or tear up family doctor contracts. They did not close hospital beds or cancel planned hospital capacity. They did not under build housing, assisted living, long-term care, or schools. They did not dismantle community care. Politicians did.”

Danielle Smith’s immigration crackdown isn’t about fixing finances—it’s a Trojan horse for separatism, imported extremism, and Christo-fascist ideals that threaten Alberta’s inclusive future. By echoing Project 2025’s power grabs, Brexit’s fearmongering, and the APP’s independence fantasies, the UCP risks tearing Canada apart while enriching insiders. We’ve seen the fallout in the UK and US: economic pain, social fractures, and eroded rights. Albertans deserve better—transparent governance, investment in services, and policies that welcome contributions from all. Let’s reject this playbook: recall UCP MLAs, demand accountability, and stand with Canada. Share this post, join the conversation, and let’s take Alberta forward, not backward.

The Honourable Rachel Notley, former Premier of Alberta.

“First they came for the trans people. Then they came for the unionized workers. Next it was judges. Now it’s immigrants. If you think that you or someone you love won’t be next, you’re sorely mistaken.

UCP voter, NDP voter, pro-environment, pro-business, rich or poor—these things don’t matter. What matters is that we have the moral strength to call out this vile divisive tactic by this premier.

Our schools are not struggling because there are too many English language learners. Our schools are struggling because the UCP funds education at the lowest rate in Canada. Yet if even one in ten Albertans buys into Smith’s tactic of blaming each-other, my heart hurts at the prospect of a child being sent into school holding this kind of hate for their schoolmates.

Danielle Smith and her government are responsible for a litany of failures in healthcare, education, and the economy. The Premier is sowing hate and division to distract from the fact that her government is the real culprit. Albertans should not be fooled by this cowardly strategy.

There is only one vote I want. It’s called an election. Then we can rid our province of the worst premier and the worst government in the history of Alberta.”

• CBC News on referendum questions and Smith’s address.

• Paul Wells Substack on the nine questions.

• Global News and Edmonton Journal on McAllister’s comments and immigration proposals.

• Statistics Canada and Alberta Economic Dashboard on population estimates (2020–2025 growth to over 5 million)

• The Tyee, National Observer, and PressProgress on separatist town halls, replacement theory, and APP activities

• DeSmog and Daveberta on Project 2025 meetings and UCP separatist ties

• Various outlets (CTV, National Post, Calgary Herald) on federal responses, expert critiques, and fiscal mismanagement details

The End