Politics & World • Provincial Politics

Danielle Smith

Danielle Smith is a Canadian politician and media personality who has served as premier of Alberta and leader of the United Conservative Party since 2022.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Danielle Smith is a Canadian politician and media personality who has served as premier of Alberta and leader of the United Conservative Party since 2022. She became premier after winning the UCP leadership race in October 2022 and has represented Brooks-Medicine Hat in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta since November 2022. Smith is a major figure in Alberta and Canadian provincial politics, especially on provincial-federal relations, energy policy, and federalism debates that affect Canada-wide governance.

Early life and education

Danielle Smith was born in Calgary, Alberta, in 1971. She studied at the University of Calgary, where she earned degrees in Economics and English.

Media and business career

Before returning to elected politics, Smith worked in journalism and talk radio. She also served as president of the Alberta Enterprise Group and had earlier worked as a lobbyist.

Political career

Smith first became widely known in Alberta politics through her leadership of the Wildrose Party and later the United Conservative Party. She became premier after winning the UCP leadership race in 2022.

Premier of Alberta

Smith was sworn in as premier on October 11, 2022, and subsequently won election as MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat. She led the UCP to re-election in 2023 and retained strong support in a 2024 leadership review.

Key facts

Smith became the 19th premier of Alberta in October 2022.
She won the United Conservative Party leadership on October 6, 2022.
She was elected MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat in the 2022 Alberta general election.
She led the UCP to a second consecutive majority government in the 2023 Alberta general election.
Before returning to politics, she worked in media and business, including as president of the Alberta Enterprise Group.

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Canadian context

Smith is a major figure in Alberta and Canadian provincial politics, especially on provincial-federal relations, energy policy, and federalism debates that affect Canada-wide governance.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Danielle Smith?

Danielle Smith is a Canadian politician and media personality who has been premier of Alberta and leader of the United Conservative Party since 2022.

When did Danielle Smith become premier of Alberta?

She was sworn in as premier on October 11, 2022, after winning the United Conservative Party leadership race.

What riding does Danielle Smith represent?

She represents Brooks-Medicine Hat in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.

What was Danielle Smith's career before politics?

She worked as a journalist, columnist, radio host, and lobbyist, and later served as president of the Alberta Enterprise Group.

What party does Danielle Smith lead?

She leads the United Conservative Party, Alberta's governing provincial party.

Has Danielle Smith led the UCP in an election?

Yes. She led the UCP to a majority government in the 2023 Alberta general election.

References

Government of Alberta — https://www.alberta.ca/premier
Supports: Premier title, swearing-in date, riding, education, and professional background.
The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/danielle-smith
Supports: Biography, political roles, media career, and broader political context.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danielle_Smith
Supports: Leadership race result, 2023 election outcome, and leadership review details.
Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-danielle-smith-named-alberta-conservative-party-leader-become-premier-2022-10-07/
Supports: UCP leadership win, vote share, policy focus, and transition to premiership.