Scott Cyr, United Conservative MLA for Bonnyville–Cold Lake–St. Paul, issued the following statement following Monday evening’s Constituency Association Board meeting:

“On Monday evening, our Constituency Association Board voted 10 to 9, by secret ballot, in favour of a motion seeking a Special General Meeting (SGM) concerning a leadership review. I thank the nine Board members who opposed the motion and respect the right of every member to vote according to their convictions.

“A single vote separated the two sides. That should be a reason to build bridges, not dig deeper trenches within our party.

“This largely symbolic vote may generate a fleeting media headline, but I fear the consequences for our region could last for years. The cameras will move on, but our communities will still be here, counting on us to address their concerns.

“Constituency Associations have an important responsibility to advocate for their communities and ensure local concerns are heard. That responsibility should remain central to our Association’s work.

“I recognize that many constituents are disappointed with the unofficial referendum results, while others welcomed the outcome. Both perspectives deserve respect. Whatever our views on Alberta’s future within Canada, we must find common ground rather than allow those differences to divide our communities.

“With the 2027 provincial election approaching, I am concerned about the consequences of continued internal division within the United Conservative Party.

“Under Premier Danielle Smith’s leadership, Alberta has worked to create jobs, attract investment, and strengthen opportunities for families and communities across the province. While no government is perfect, I believe our efforts are best directed toward building on that progress together rather than turning our focus inward.

“Alberta experienced significant economic hardship during the previous NDP government’s tenure, including widespread job losses, financial uncertainty for families and people leaving the province in search of opportunities. Behind every lost job was a family sitting around the kitchen table, wondering how they would pay the mortgage and what tomorrow would bring.

“We simply cannot afford to go back to those days. Our focus should be on coming together as a party, uniting behind Premier Danielle Smith’s leadership, and continuing the work of building a stronger, more prosperous future for Alberta families and communities.

“My hope is that our Constituency Association will reconsider and ultimately rescind this misguided motion. I respect the democratic process but believe our Association’s efforts would be better directed toward the needs of the communities we represent.

“Our region is preparing for significant economic opportunities. The decisions we make today about highways, health care, education and infrastructure will determine whether our communities are ready for tomorrow. We should be building for that future, not allowing internal disputes to stand in the way.”