09/14/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE UCP TALKS ABOUT FREEDOM - UNTIL IT COMES TO POLITICAL COMPETITION
The UCP likes to portray itself as the defender of freedom in Alberta. Evidently, that freedom has its limits when someone decides to compete with them politically.
When we sought to revive the Progressive Conservative name in Alberta, the UCP responded with threats, interference in our application with Elections Alberta and ultimately a lawsuit seeking injunctions and $500,000 in damages against our party and individuals personally.
The UCP lawsuit claimed they had maintained the PC Alberta trademarks and had the exclusive right to use them.
That was challenged.
On August 31st, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office released its decision.
The Registrar found that the UCP failed to provide evidence beyond “bare assertions” demonstrating use of the PC marks during the relevant three-year period and ordered all three trademark registrations expunged.
This is fascinating.
The UCP went to court claiming trademark infringement and seeking $500,000 in damages while the trademarks at the center of that claim were ultimately ordered expunged for non-use.
And when the legal process wasn't enough to prevent political competition, the UCP government changed the law with Bill 14 to restrict other political parties from using the word “Conservative” in their name.
That is not how a confident government behaves, and it certainly isn't in the best interests of Albertans.
Freedom includes political freedom. It means allowing people to organize, compete, challenge government and offer Albertans another choice without having the power of government or costly litigation used as a hammer over their heads.
We expect the UCP to immediately withdraw its lawsuit in light of this decision.
The Tory Party will also continue examining every available avenue to challenge the government's interference through Bill 14.
And when given the opportunity to govern, we will introduce meaningful anti-SLAPP legislation in Alberta so lawsuits cannot be used simply to intimidate or silence legitimate public participation.
Government should win arguments by having better ideas - not by trying to eliminate the competition or intimidate opponents.
They may have prevented us from using the Progressive Conservative name, but they didn't prevent us from competing.
We are the Tory Party, and we are here to stay.
Hon. Peter Guthrie
MLA Airdrie-Cochrane
Leader, Progressive Tory Party of Alberta
