Western Standard - May 19, 2023


Smith says 'I'm not how media depicts me'


Episode Stats

Length

4 minutes

Words per Minute

213.83427

Word Count

1,015

Sentence Count

57


Summary

In this episode, Alberta s premier, Rachel Notley, takes questions from the floor of the Alberta House of Commons and answers questions from supporters and opponents of her leadership campaign. She also discusses the ethics report she received from the Conflict of Interest Act, and what she plans to do in the wake of it.


Transcript

00:00:00.360 Well, you've heard what I had to say, so why don't we just take questions?
00:00:03.080 So you said you were cleared by the Ethics Commissioner, but you weren't.
00:00:06.820 They actually found you violated the Conflict of Interest Act for talking to the Justice Minister about the Pawlowski case.
00:00:12.080 So why wouldn't you acknowledge this?
00:00:13.820 Well, there were three things that the Ethics Commissioner looked at.
00:00:18.260 And it all began, remember, because the CBC and Rachel Nalme said that I was calling Crown Prosecutors
00:00:22.920 and that my office was calling for Crown Prosecutors.
00:00:25.120 That was untrue. That was a lie.
00:00:26.680 I continued to push that forward for several months.
00:00:28.540 I have always said that I was going to seek amnesty.
00:00:32.400 I have always said that my only contact was through the Justice Minister and through my justice officials.
00:00:37.560 That's what I did.
00:00:38.680 The Ethics Commissioner said that I did it incorrectly,
00:00:41.920 and I look forward to her giving me some advice on how to do it correctly.
00:00:45.000 I am not a lawyer, and I need to be able to contact my Justice Minister on matters that are in the public interest.
00:00:51.420 So when the Ethics Commissioner gives me her recommendations, I will accept it.
00:00:54.660 Will you apologize for breaching the Conflict of Interest Act?
00:00:57.480 Will you apologize for this?
00:00:58.700 It was a mistake.
00:00:59.660 I'm not a perfect person.
00:01:01.100 People know that.
00:01:01.640 I thought I was going about it the right way.
00:01:03.880 The Ethics Commissioner said I did it the wrong way.
00:01:05.740 I asked her if she would give me some advice in the report about how to do it right.
00:01:08.980 She hasn't yet, but when she does, I look forward to taking her recommendations.
00:01:11.800 With the report, do you think that you qualify to be a Premier?
00:01:15.260 Look, I know that Albertans want a government that is going to focus on their interests, and that's what I'm focused on doing.
00:01:22.560 I put forward a positive agenda for Alberta.
00:01:24.940 We're going to cut taxes.
00:01:26.040 We're going to make life more affordable.
00:01:27.400 We're going to fix health care.
00:01:28.400 We're going to address public safety, and I think that's what the election will be decided on.
00:01:32.220 Daniel, in 2019, you wrote a column eviscerating Justin Trudeau for doing what you did,
00:01:36.660 and you said it was shocking, your word, that there were no penalties for contravening the Conflicts of Interest Act.
00:01:42.060 Now that you've done it, what penalties should you face?
00:01:44.560 Well, that'll be up to the legislature to decide.
00:01:46.780 I noticed that the Ethics Commissioner didn't recommend any sanction,
00:01:52.380 and I think I'm hopeful that she'll give me some advice about how to consult with my Justice Minister.
00:01:58.020 I would also point out that we have in our constitutional tradition that the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General are the same person,
00:02:04.400 and that's one of the things that we have to examine.
00:02:06.660 is that how is somebody who's a non-lawyer supposed to be able to get advice from their senior legal advisor,
00:02:13.300 and that's what I'm looking forward to getting recommendations for, and when I get them, I'll accept them.
00:02:17.040 Would you agree with Tyler Chandro as the Minister of Justice if you are re-elected?
00:02:21.540 You know, I have to tell you, Minister Chandro and I have worked on many, many pieces of legislation.
00:02:26.800 He is one of my most trusted ministers.
00:02:29.360 When he gave me advice, I took it, and that's where we find ourselves.
00:02:32.580 You have seen a bunch of these recordings come out.
00:02:35.020 Another recording that I've got is of a Take Back Alberta rally in it.
00:02:40.580 Members of Take Back Alberta, members of Sovereign North,
00:02:43.540 talking about how at the door they're hearing that people are calling you crazy,
00:02:49.020 and they're talking about how they're looking to replace you after you win.
00:02:52.960 What are you hearing at the door, and why are they saying things like everyone's scared of Danielle?
00:02:58.060 We have a one-member, one-vote party, and we have the opportunity for people to make decisions on our policy,
00:03:05.860 and I'm looking forward to getting through the election and seeing when Albertans have to decide.
00:03:10.960 I think people saw this evening the type of person that I am.
00:03:14.640 What I always hear when people get a chance to see me is,
00:03:17.100 boy, you're not at all like how the media depict you, and I hope people got to see the real needs.
00:03:20.520 Ms. Smith, how do you think you did in the debate tonight?
00:03:24.760 The real need is somebody who cares about Albertans,
00:03:27.680 that we're going to lower taxes and make life more affordable,
00:03:30.520 make sure that we protect our publicly funded health care system,
00:03:34.260 and also deal with public safety crisis, and I think that's what Albertans care about.
00:03:37.560 Are you committed to staying on four years and fighting for it
00:03:42.860 if there's a challenge to your leadership by caucus or your party?
00:03:45.860 100%.
00:03:46.420 How do you respond to Rachel Notley saying that there's new drama in your government every day?
00:03:51.220 I would say that we are more unified as a caucus than we've ever been.
00:03:56.480 That was one of my key priorities when I got elected leader,
00:04:00.400 because I know that we've had a lot of division.
00:04:02.280 We've had a lot of really tough challenges over the past few years,
00:04:06.020 and I just have the best caucus team.
00:04:07.980 I'm so delighted to be working with them.
00:04:10.620 We've got 48 incumbents who are running again.
00:04:12.700 We've got bench strength.
00:04:14.200 We've got ministerial experience.
00:04:16.120 I think people know that we're going to be the best party to re-elect.
00:04:19.140 Do you want yourself to the same ethical standards as you held Justin Trudeau in 2019
00:04:23.400 when he violated the conflict of interest actor in the SNC-Lavalin affair?
00:04:26.880 I've answered that question.
00:04:28.240 Do you agree with the version of the January 6th call between you and Tyler Shandro
00:04:33.820 that Tyler Shandro explained to the ethics commissioner?
00:04:37.480 I've answered the question.
00:04:38.340 No, you haven't.
00:04:39.240 That's all the time we have for today.
00:04:40.320 You can answer the question.
00:04:43.400 You don't need to, but you could.