Subhead:Premier Smith’s approval numbers have climbed amid debates over federal overreach, energy policy and Alberta autonomy. The UCP has also widen its lead over Naheed Nenshi and the Alberta NDP during the same period.#
Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is claiming Premier Danielle Smith is appealing the court decision freezing Alberta’s independence petition process as a way to “save herself politically.”
That theory might work better if Smith were the one with collapsing numbers. She isn’t.
Danielle Smith is pushing her separatist referendum to save her job.
We’re fighting back to save our country. 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/DRpausAzto
— Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) May 18, 2026
Recent polling continues to show Smith’s UCP comfortably ahead of Nenshi’s Alberta NDP.
An Abacus Data poll released in March had the UCP sitting at 49% support compared to 36% for the NDP. Nenshi’s personal favourables were also underwater, with more Albertans holding a negative impression of him than a positive one.
And a month later, Leger’s April 2026 numbers showed the UCP widening its lead to 53% support compared to 36% for the NDP — a 17-point gap that hardly suggests Danielle Smith is clinging to office by filing court appeals.
Meanwhile, Smith’s approval numbers have actually improved among key voter groups as debates over federal overreach, energy policy, and Alberta autonomy intensify.
So no, this doesn’t exactly look like a premier clinging to power by filing a court appeal.
