(Edmonton) Alberta’s two main campaign rivals clashed in a heated televised debate on Thursday night, in which voter confidence sparked heated discussions.
The debate came hours after the province’s ethics commissioner revealed that United Conservative Party leader Danielle Smith, in her role as premier, broke conflict of interest rules.
During the debate, the leader of the NDP, Rachel Notley, did not miss the opportunity to hammer that she had never violated the laws on the conflicts of interest when she was in power, between 2015 and 2019.
Following the findings of the Ethics Commissioner, Ms.me Notley therefore felt that voters could not trust Mme Smith.
“Every day there is a new drama. You just don’t have to put up with that,” Ms.me Notley addressing voters.
Mme Smith did not address the conflict of interest issue directly, but described herself as “flawed.”
She also mentioned that the controversial remarks she made on the air during her previous career as a radio host were a thing of the past.
“Albertans are my bosses now and my oath is to serve you and no one else,” Ms.me Smith.
Earlier Thursday, Alberta Ethics Commissioner Marguerite Trussler concluded that Ms.me Smith broke conflict of interest law during a conversation with his attorney general about a high-profile case related to health restrictions.
Mme Trussler indicated in his report that the violation was related to discussions that Ms.me Smith had discussions with then-Minister of Justice and Attorney General Tyler Shandro over criminal charges against a Calgary pastor.
Artur Pawlowski was found guilty earlier this month of mischief and other charges for his role in a protest against health restrictions that blocked Alberta’s main border crossing into the United States earlier this year 2022.
Mme Trussler had to decide whether the appeal of Mme Smith to Mr. Shandro on Jan. 6 was appropriate.
“The purpose of Premier Smith’s appeal was to influence the Crown’s decision to prosecute Mr. Pawlowski,” the commissioner wrote.
“She asked the Attorney General if there was anything they could do about the charges and if they could help Mr. Pawlowski. She was worried about the political aspect of the press conference that Mr. Pawlowski was planning to organize. »
According to Mme Trussler, it is unacceptable for a prime minister to discuss an ongoing criminal case with an attorney general.
“I think Minister Shandro must have felt considerable pressure and concern for his tenure as minister following this call,” she wrote.
“Overall, it is a threat to democracy to interfere with the administration of justice. It is the first step towards the type of judicial system that is often found in an undemocratic or pseudo-democratic country where members and friends of power are protected from prosecution or are acquitted by the courts on the instructions of power”, supported the commissioner.
In a statement released Thursday by his party, Mr.me Smith said she has always wanted to find a path to amnesty for those charged with non-violent COVID-19-related offenses and violations during the pandemic.
She indicated that she asked Mr. Shandro, who is a lawyer, his opinion on a possible amnesty and that she had accepted his advice. She added that the conversation ended there.
“I invited the Commissioner to give me and future Prime Ministers advice on how to raise sensitive political issues of this type with the Minister of Justice, if she thought there was a more appropriate way to proceed,” said Mr.me Smith.
Mme Trussler does not recommend sanctions against Mr.me Smith for now, but says she reserves the right to do so once the legislature resumes.
The Commissioner recommends that new members of the legislature take training on the roles of the three branches of government.
Voters are due to go to the polls on May 29 in Alberta.