Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s former campaign manager has said privately he’s mobilizing “two thousand Muslims” to come to the United Conservative Party annual general meeting to support Smith as she faces a leadership review.
Smith will face a vote on her leadership at the party convention on Nov. 2.
Matthew Altheim ran Smith’s leadership campaign and is part owner and executive producer of Nordic Media, an Edmonton-based marketing agency. The firm was given two sole-sourced contracts by the Alberta government, and more recently, a contract valued at $1.5 million. Altheim is frequently seen at events alongside the Premier.
In an audio recording provided to True North, Altheim said he’s mobilizing Muslims to gather at the convention. The audio was given to True North by a source whose name is being withheld for fear of retribution.
The source tells Altheim that UCP members are unhappy about Smith’s promises to implement Halal mortgages and funding for Islamic schools.
“I hope you got a lot of busloads of Muslims to counter the people that are going to be pretty pissed off about this,” the source says to Altheim, as heard in the recording.
“Well yes, I have two thousand of them,” Altheim responds. “I’m not too worried.”
“You better have a couple thousand of them,” the source counters.
“I do. I have two thousand Muslims,” Altheim says.
Altheim did not respond to repeated requests for comment on Thursday.
The revelation follows speculation about two emails that were posted on X in which two Muslim schools in Edmonton appear to invite students to attend the UCP AGM with all costs paid. The emails tout Smith’s support of the Muslim community and said the AGM is a chance to back her.
One apparent email claims the Premier arranged a private meet and greet for Muslim students at the party convention.
True North was not able to independently verify the authenticity of the recording or the emails. The schools referenced — the Al Mustafa Academy and the Edmonton Islamic Academy — did not respond to repeated requests for comment from True North.
The Premier’s Office forwarded a request for comment about the emails to the UCP who said it is within the rules for community groups and constituency associations to sponsor fees so long as each individual purchases their own membership. The party said Smith is not involved in organizing the sponsorship of AGM fees for members.
“It’s common for individuals and constituency associations to organize around these efforts, and the party ensures all rules are followed,” said UCP spokesperson Dave Prisco.
Smith’s office and the party did not respond to a request for comment about Altheim.
Asked whether the Premier would be meeting with Muslim students as one email claimed, Prisco said Smith “will be speaking with as many members of the United Conservative Party as possible at the AGM.”