UCP caucus staff attended April call with Alberta separatist group accused of publishing voters list

Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus has confirmed that some staff members attended an April meeting involving the Centurion Project, a separatist group now facing investigations over the publication of a massive Alberta voter database. The controversy has intensified political tensions in the province after reports revealed that personal information belonging to nearly three million Alberta voters was made publicly accessible online. Elections Alberta and the RCMP are currently investigating the data breach.

According to statements released Tuesday, UCP caucus officials said staff attended the April 16 online meeting because it related to political developments in Alberta. The caucus argued that staff members were told during the meeting that the voter information had been obtained legally. Officials also stated that political staff regularly monitor meetings connected to important provincial issues and denied any involvement in the alleged misuse of voter data.

The controversy centers around the Centurion Project, a group connected to Alberta’s growing separatist movement that supports holding a referendum on the province leaving Canada. The group allegedly operated a website containing names, addresses, and other personal information connected to millions of Alberta voters. Elections Alberta later went to court and secured an order forcing the website offline after officials determined the organization was not legally allowed to possess or distribute the data.

The Alberta NDP sharply criticized the UCP after revealing it had obtained video evidence showing caucus staff participated in the April meeting. Opposition members argued the government should have immediately reported concerns about the database to authorities instead of attending discussions connected to the group. NDP representatives said the situation raises serious questions about how closely some political figures were interacting with separatist organizations during the ongoing referendum campaign.

The leaked database reportedly included sensitive information connected to politicians, judges, journalists, election officials, and ordinary Alberta residents. Security experts and political analysts described the breach as one of the most serious privacy incidents in recent Canadian political history. Concerns have also grown over whether the information may already have been copied or distributed beyond the original website before it was shut down by court order.

The separatist movement in Alberta has gained increased attention in recent months after organizers submitted more than 300,000 signatures in support of a referendum on provincial independence. Premier Danielle Smith has previously stated that a referendum could move forward if enough verified signatures are collected. However, Indigenous groups and legal experts have challenged the process in court, arguing that separation efforts raise major constitutional and treaty concerns.

Political observers say the latest controversy could place additional pressure on the UCP government as investigations continue. Critics argue the situation damages public trust in Alberta’s democratic institutions, especially after the release of private voter information. Meanwhile, separatist groups insist they will continue pushing for a referendum despite the legal challenges and investigations surrounding the voter database.

The RCMP and Elections Alberta have not yet announced whether criminal charges or additional legal action will follow the investigations. Officials continue reviewing how the data was obtained, shared, and published online. As public concern grows, many Alberta residents are demanding stronger protections for personal information and greater transparency regarding political involvement with separatist organizations linked to the breach.