Marlaina Danielle Smith, born April 1, 1971, is a Canadian politician, former lobbyist, columnist and media personality. She has served as the 19th premier of Alberta and as leader of the United Conservative Party since 2022.

Smith was born in Calgary and studied English and economics at the University of Calgary. Before returning to elected politics, she worked in journalism and in business advocacy, including as Alberta director of provincial affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

She became leader of Alberta’s Wildrose Party in 2009 and led it into the 2012 provincial election, when it became the Official Opposition. She later crossed to the governing Progressive Conservatives and was defeated in a nomination contest before the 2015 election.

Smith returned to provincial politics as leader of the United Conservative Party, which won a renewed majority government in Alberta’s 2023 general election under her leadership.

In the Alberta separation referendum described in the news context, Smith called the vote but publicly supported Alberta remaining in Canada. After casting her ballot, she said she had voted to remain in Canada and argued that the country could still work with changes.