Premier Smith addresses province, February 20, 2026
EDMONTON — Premier Danielle Smith’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since taking office, according to new polling from the Angus Reid Institute.
The poll released Thursday found 39 per cent of Albertans approve of Smith’s performance, down seven points from the previous quarter. Fifty-six per cent of respondents said they disapprove of the premier’s performance.
The decline comes amid growing debate over Alberta’s future within Canada and a proposed referendum question scheduled for the Oct. 19 municipal election ballot.
The question would ask Albertans whether the provincial government should begin the process of holding a binding referendum on Alberta separating from Canada.
Angus Reid Institute president Shachi Kurl said Smith appears to be facing criticism from both separatists and federalists.
Kurl said some separatists are unhappy the proposed question does not directly trigger separation, while federalists have criticized the government for allowing the issue to advance.
Political scientist Lori Williams of Mount Royal University said the premier has faced opposition from multiple groups since announcing the referendum question, including separatists, federalists and members of the business community concerned about economic uncertainty.
Despite the decline, the poll found Smith continues to maintain support among a majority of past United Conservative Party voters.
The Angus Reid survey was conducted online between May 7 and May 11 and included responses from 1,803 Canadians. Angus Reid said the results were weighted to reflect demographic characteristics identified in the most recent federal census.
Smith was not alone in seeing her approval rating fall. British Columbia Premier David Eby and Ontario Premier Doug Ford also recorded their lowest approval ratings in the latest survey.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew remained the country’s most popular premier with an approval rating of 61 per cent.
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