UCP caucus staff attended Alberta separatist group’s online meeting NDP says group shared personal voter data

Alberta’s political tensions increased this week after the Alberta NDP accused staff members connected to the governing United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus of attending an online meeting hosted by a separatist organization that allegedly shared confidential voter information. The controversy centers around the Centurion Project, a pro-Alberta independence group now under investigation after a large database containing personal voter information was reportedly published online.

According to the NDP, video recordings and screenshots from an April online meeting show UCP caucus staff participating while members of the separatist group discussed voter information and political organizing. Opposition members claim the group displayed or referred to sensitive data connected to millions of Alberta voters during the meeting. The NDP argued that the government should explain why caucus staff were involved in discussions linked to an organization now facing investigations by Elections Alberta and the RCMP.

The UCP caucus confirmed that staff members attended the online session but denied any wrongdoing. In a statement, caucus officials said political staff often monitor public and political meetings connected to major provincial issues. The caucus also claimed participants at the meeting stated the voter information had been obtained legally. Officials insisted no UCP staff downloaded, distributed, or used the database.

The Centurion Project has become one of the most controversial groups connected to Alberta’s separatist movement. The organization reportedly published a searchable online database containing names, addresses, and other personal details connected to nearly three million Alberta voters. Elections Alberta later obtained a court order demanding the website be taken offline after determining the group was not authorized to possess or distribute the information.

The leaked information allegedly included data connected to politicians, judges, journalists, election officials, and ordinary citizens. Privacy experts warned that the release could expose people to identity theft, harassment, and security risks. The RCMP and Elections Alberta are now investigating how the data was obtained and whether any laws were broken during its publication and distribution.

The Alberta NDP accused Premier Danielle Smith’s government of failing to distance itself clearly from separatist organizations. Opposition members argued that any contact between government-linked staff and groups handling private voter information raises serious ethical and democratic concerns. The NDP also questioned whether authorities were informed immediately after the meeting took place.

The separatist movement in Alberta has grown in visibility over the past year, with campaign groups pushing for a referendum on provincial independence from Canada. Organizers recently claimed to have collected hundreds of thousands of signatures supporting the idea. However, Indigenous leaders and constitutional experts have strongly opposed the movement, arguing that separation efforts conflict with treaty obligations and Canadian law.

Political analysts say the controversy could increase pressure on the UCP government ahead of future legislative debates connected to Alberta sovereignty and referendum rules. Meanwhile, public concern continues growing over privacy protection and the handling of sensitive voter information. Investigators have not yet announced whether criminal charges or further legal action will follow as the RCMP and Elections Alberta continue reviewing the case.