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Danielle Smith, considered one of the frontrunners in the United Conservative Party leadership race, faced sharp criticism from debate rivals Wednesday over her Alberta sovereignty plan and controversial comments about cancer.
Many of the seven candidates, including three who left Premier Jason Kenney’s cabinet to enter the race, criticized Smith’s proposal to immediately introduce a bill to give Alberta the power to ignore federal laws and judicial decisions that are considered not in their interest.
They said Alberta needed to push back on the federal government, but said Smith’s plan is not only illegal and unenforceable, but would also create business uncertainty at a time when the province is just recovering financially.
“It would be great to just wish away all our problems with this thing called the act of sovereignty. We’re delusional if we think that’s going to happen,” former Treasury Secretary Travis Toews told Smith in the debate, held at the HALO Air Ambulance Hangar at Medicine Hat Regional Airport.
“We need a thoughtful strategic approach. That’s how we win.”
Rajan Sawhney, the former transport minister, said such an act would fail in the courts and lead to debilitating economic uncertainty.
Former children’s services minister Rebecca Schulz told Smith: “You’re writing checks you can’t cash and making promises you can’t keep.”
UCP bench member Brian Jean called the plan a “fiscal fairy tale”.
Smith, a former talk radio host and leader of the Wildrose Party, dismissed the criticism. He said his proposed act can pass a legal muster and said it is the federal government that has created uncertainty in Alberta through policies that stifle the development of the oil and gas industry.
“Ottawa has created chaos,” Smith said.
Legal experts say such a bill is not only illegal, but a dangerous rejection of respect for the rule of law. House Leader Jason Nixon and Toews, who has the support of nearly half the UCP caucus, have said they doubt the House will even pass the bill.
Polls suggest Smith, Toews and Jean are the frontrunners in the race that culminates in an Oct. 6 vote to replace Kenney as party leader and premier.
Smith was the focus of criticism from Toews, Sawhney and Jean again during the health policy portion of the debate for asserting in a recent podcast that the responsibility for early-stage cancer lies within the patient’s control. Patients and health professionals have described it as deeply uninformed and cruel.
Smith told the debate audience that his comments were “poorly worded” and that he only meant that preventive health measures are just one more way to help detect, prevent and fight early-stage cancer.
“I know that cancer can strike anyone at any time,” Smith said.
Jean said after the debate that there was no misunderstanding in Smith’s statements.
“She said it. Just apologize. I saw the ramifications of that comment and I don’t think it was appropriate.”
Sawhney said Smith’s comments ring hollow given that he “doubled down” on his initial comments the day after making them, adding that Smith owes Albertans an apology.
“These comments are very hurtful to any Albertan, any Canadian, who has lost someone to cancer or someone who is suffering from cancer right now,” he said.
Smith replied: “When we look at what happened over the last two years of the COVID lockdown, and I haven’t heard an apology from any of the cabinet ministers who imposed it on us over the last two years, I would like to see an apology there.”
Smith was unable to finish her sentence as she was drowned out by the audience’s cheers, applause and cheers.
The debate also focused on leadership, the economy and the environment.
Independent MLA Todd Loewen, kicked out of the UCP caucus last year for criticizing Kenney, demanded Toews clarify whether he would impose a provincial sales tax, which he has previously refused to rule out one
Toews said he has never considered implementing one.
UCP MP Leela Aheer, speaking at the Economy, said the government needs to do more for Albertans facing high costs due to inflation, starting with re-indexing income supports for those who need it.
After the debate, Smith brushed aside the criticism, saying his two ideas are what Albertans are talking about.
“I thought it was a great discussion. I think you’ve seen seven cabinet ministers up there and it’s just a matter for our members to determine who will be the leader.”
Sawhney said afterward that he had to stand up to Smith because Alberta’s future is at stake.
“I think tonight I really showed that I am the alternative to Danielle Smith … this is a consequential election that will affect Albertans,” he said.
“I’m not going to stand by and watch someone make empty promises and make a sales pitch that can’t be delivered.”