The United Conservative Party (UCP) has initiated an audit of its membership rolls in Red Deer following concerns that non-party members were attempting to influence the outcome of Premier Danielle Smith’s leadership review.
Dustin Van Vugt, the UCP’s executive director, confirmed the audit in a statement to The Counter Signal. “We will be checking memberships purchased in Red Deer over the last month to ensure they are party supporters and paid for with their own funds,” Van Vugt stated.
The UCP’s decision follows reports that some Red Deer residents may have been approached by an individual or group attempting to encourage non-party members to sign up and attend the UCP convention and vote against Smith in her leadership review.
It is unclear whether the audit identified any indication of wrongdoing.
