Premier Danielle Smith didn’t just suddenly step onto the path of government control over human sexuality.

This unprecedented program was under consideration for nearly a year, but really got rolling in November, when social conservatives swamped the United Conservative Party’s annual general meeting in Calgary.

Smith talked to them about how Alberta will grow and prosper. The massive crowd was curiously quiet.

But when she briefly championed parental rights, the delegates rocketed out of their seats, cheering wildly.

One resolution after another passed with little opposition — on purging school libraries, ending diversity training, demanding the right to approve changes to kids’ pronouns, prohibiting transfer of transgender males into women’s prisons, gun rights, and much more.

These people expected their motions to be enacted by government. Smith, a most uncomfortable libertarian, said party votes are taken as advice, not policy.

But the movement was aflame in rural Alberta. Cruising around the convention floor was David Parker, creator of Take Back Alberta, the “freedom” movement that is constantly dismissed by experts who turn out to be wrong.

“This weekend begins a new age in Alberta, the age of democracy,” he said from the convention.

“After this AGM, the grassroots of the UCP will be in charge.

“Those who do not listen to the grassroots or attempt to thwart their involvement in the decision-making process, will be removed from power.”

On Thursday, Parker and the members........

© Calgary Herald