Danielle Smith’s approval dips slightly in latest premiers’ poll

It has been a consistent run for Alberta’s premier in terms of approval ratings with the latest polling showing just a slight dip.

Albertans approval of Premier Danielle Smith has remained within five points since she became the new UCP leader in the fall of 2022.

In the latest premiers’ poll from Angus Reid, more than two-in-five (45 per cent) of residents say they approve of her work. That number is down two points from three months ago.

Jon Roe, a research associate with Angus Reid, says the province’s Bill 20 has played a factor in creating more controversy around the premier.

According to the province, the bill is intended to improve local government and trust. It would allow for the creation of political parties in Edmonton and Calgary, and give the province more control to overturn bylaws and unilaterally fire mayors and councillors.

“People who do support her are kind of waning a little bit as far as how strongly they like her,” he says. “I’ve seen reporting that there are people in rural constituencies that are upset about what they view as provincial government overreach into municipal politics.”

Half of Albertans in the recent poll say they disapprove of Smith’s performance, including nearly two-in-five (39 per cent) who strongly disapprove.

“I think overall, what we would see is she is less approved of in urban settings for sure,” says Roe. “That kind of dates back to the provincial election, where she didn’t necessarily have as much support in Edmonton and Calgary.”

Compared to the rest of the west, Manitoba premier Wab Kinew leads all provinces with a 66 per cent approval rating, Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe is at 49 per cent, and B.C.’s David Eby is at 43 per cent.