Danielle Smith Faces Fresh Attacks During Latest Ucp Leadership Debate

Smith was criticized for her proposed act on Alberta sovereignty and for leading to a mass defection to the Progressive Conservatives in late 2014 that nearly decimated her Wildrose party. Former Kenney Finance Minister Travis Tuss said the floor crossing tarnished both parties with drastic consequences in the 2015 election, when both parties lost to Rachel Notley’s NDP. “Leadership and unity matter,” Toews, Smith’s primary opponent, told about 700 members attending the debate at the downtown Citadel Theater. “Just months before the 2015 election, (Smith) came out on the floor. I believe it was (the passage of the floor and the subsequent fractured Conservative movement) that ultimately contributed to an NDP government.” Story continues below ad Smith has also come under attack from multiple candidates for her central policy plan to pass the proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act this fall, if elected. The act would give the province the right to ignore federal laws and court rulings deemed harmful to its interests. Critics, including legal scholars, say such a bill is not only illegal but would create a constitutional crisis. Smith in recent weeks has downplayed the act, calling it a token document to seek rights that provinces like Quebec use. But she stressed her Alberta will refuse to enforce federal rules, particularly in areas such as health restrictions for COVID-19. Former Kenney cabinet minister Leela Aheer bluntly called the act “stupid.” “The Sovereignty Act is an attack on our Canadian and Albertan values. It’s an excuse to get out of Canada when we should be looking at ways to lead Canada,” Aheer said. READ MORE: Alberta House leader says he doubts Danielle Smith’s proposed sovereignty bill will pass Former Kenney cabinet minister Rajan Sawhney urged Smith to wait until next spring’s scheduled general election to seek a mandate for such a radical bill. “These are the kinds of things that require a mandate from Albertans,” Shawney said. Story continues below ad Smith said she feels she has a mandate from Albertans through public consultation. Rebecca Schulz, a former Kenney cabinet minister, questioned the passage of such a controversial bill so soon. “I think we can’t go into the first legislative session with a bill that other candidates don’t support at this stage,” Schultz said. “I don’t think this is good for unity.” Smith acknowledged that she has taken “bold” positions, but said that’s what leaders do. “For too long the conservatives have led and ruled with polls,” Smith said. He noted that other candidates have adopted versions of the sovereignty law in their platforms along with policies to prevent future health restrictions linked to COVID-19. “Every other candidate on stage followed my lead,” Smith said. “That’s what leadership looks like: you take a bold position, bring people around you, consult, get feedback and tweak, and then let people disagree.” The other candidates are UCP backbencher Brian Jean and former UCP panel member Todd Loewen. Zhan stressed that inflation is the biggest issue to be tackled, promising to end royalties on petrol and reduce transmission and distribution fees on electricity bills. Story continues below ad Lowen stressed that Alberta needs to recoup spending that has seen debt levels rise by billions in recent years. The race for leadership is now in the homestretch. There are nearly 124,000 registered and eligible party members. Smith is seen as the front-runner based on how she has been at the center of opposition attacks throughout the campaign. The deadline to register to vote for party members was two weeks ago and candidates are now focusing on winning support from members as their first or second choice for leader. The winner will be announced on Oct. 6 using a preferential ballot, meaning lower-tier options may be put into play if the first-place winner does not win a majority in the first round of voting. Ballots will be mailed starting Friday, and members can vote by mail or in person. 2:07 Leaders in rural Alberta municipalities concerned about proposed provincial police force Previous Video Next Video Related News © 2022 The Canadian Press

title: “Danielle Smith Faces Fresh Attacks During Latest Ucp Leadership Debate Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-09” author: “Micaela Evans”

Smith was criticized for her proposed act on Alberta sovereignty and for leading to a mass defection to the Progressive Conservatives in late 2014 that nearly decimated her Wildrose party. Former Kenney Finance Minister Travis Tuss said the floor crossing tarnished both parties with drastic consequences in the 2015 election, when both parties lost to Rachel Notley’s NDP. “Leadership and unity matter,” Toews, Smith’s primary opponent, told about 700 members attending the debate at the downtown Citadel Theater. “Just months before the 2015 election, (Smith) came out on the floor. I believe it was (the passage of the floor and the subsequent fractured Conservative movement) that ultimately contributed to an NDP government.” Story continues below ad Smith has also come under attack from multiple candidates for her central policy plan to pass the proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act this fall, if elected. The act would give the province the right to ignore federal laws and court rulings deemed harmful to its interests. Critics, including legal scholars, say such a bill is not only illegal but would create a constitutional crisis. Smith in recent weeks has downplayed the act, calling it a token document to seek rights that provinces like Quebec use. But she stressed her Alberta will refuse to enforce federal rules, particularly in areas such as health restrictions for COVID-19. Former Kenney cabinet minister Leela Aheer bluntly called the act “stupid.” “The Sovereignty Act is an attack on our Canadian and Albertan values. It’s an excuse to get out of Canada when we should be looking at ways to lead Canada,” Aheer said. READ MORE: Alberta House leader says he doubts Danielle Smith’s proposed sovereignty bill will pass Former Kenney cabinet minister Rajan Sawhney urged Smith to wait until next spring’s scheduled general election to seek a mandate for such a radical bill. “These are the kinds of things that require a mandate from Albertans,” Shawney said. Story continues below ad Smith said she feels she has a mandate from Albertans through public consultation. Rebecca Schulz, a former Kenney cabinet minister, questioned the passage of such a controversial bill so soon. “I think we can’t go into the first legislative session with a bill that other candidates don’t support at this stage,” Schultz said. “I don’t think this is good for unity.” Smith acknowledged that she has taken “bold” positions, but said that’s what leaders do. “For too long the conservatives have led and ruled with polls,” Smith said. He noted that other candidates have adopted versions of the sovereignty law in their platforms along with policies to prevent future health restrictions linked to COVID-19. “Every other candidate on stage followed my lead,” Smith said. “That’s what leadership looks like: you take a bold position, bring people around you, consult, get feedback and tweak, and then let people disagree.” The other candidates are UCP backbencher Brian Jean and former UCP panel member Todd Loewen. Zhan stressed that inflation is the biggest issue to be tackled, promising to end royalties on petrol and reduce transmission and distribution fees on electricity bills. Story continues below ad Lowen stressed that Alberta needs to recoup spending that has seen debt levels rise by billions in recent years. The race for leadership is now in the homestretch. There are nearly 124,000 registered and eligible party members. Smith is seen as the front-runner based on how she has been at the center of opposition attacks throughout the campaign. The deadline to register to vote for party members was two weeks ago and candidates are now focusing on winning support from members as their first or second choice for leader. The winner will be announced on Oct. 6 using a preferential ballot, meaning lower-tier options may be put into play if the first-place winner does not win a majority in the first round of voting. Ballots will be mailed starting Friday, and members can vote by mail or in person. 2:07 Leaders in rural Alberta municipalities concerned about proposed provincial police force Previous Video Next Video Related News © 2022 The Canadian Press

title: “Danielle Smith Faces Fresh Attacks During Latest Ucp Leadership Debate Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-02” author: “Megan Booker”

Smith was criticized for her proposed act on Alberta sovereignty and for leading to a mass defection to the Progressive Conservatives in late 2014 that nearly decimated her Wildrose party. Former Kenney Finance Minister Travis Tuss said the floor crossing tarnished both parties with drastic consequences in the 2015 election, when both parties lost to Rachel Notley’s NDP. “Leadership and unity matter,” Toews, Smith’s primary opponent, told about 700 members attending the debate at the downtown Citadel Theater. “Just months before the 2015 election, (Smith) came out on the floor. I believe it was (the passage of the floor and the subsequent fractured Conservative movement) that ultimately contributed to an NDP government.” Story continues below ad Smith has also come under attack from multiple candidates for her central policy plan to pass the proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act this fall, if elected. The act would give the province the right to ignore federal laws and court rulings deemed harmful to its interests. Critics, including legal scholars, say such a bill is not only illegal but would create a constitutional crisis. Smith in recent weeks has downplayed the act, calling it a token document to seek rights that provinces like Quebec use. But she stressed her Alberta will refuse to enforce federal rules, particularly in areas such as health restrictions for COVID-19. Former Kenney cabinet minister Leela Aheer bluntly called the act “stupid.” “The Sovereignty Act is an attack on our Canadian and Albertan values. It’s an excuse to get out of Canada when we should be looking at ways to lead Canada,” Aheer said. READ MORE: Alberta House leader says he doubts Danielle Smith’s proposed sovereignty bill will pass Former Kenney cabinet minister Rajan Sawhney urged Smith to wait until next spring’s scheduled general election to seek a mandate for such a radical bill. “These are the kinds of things that require a mandate from Albertans,” Shawney said. Story continues below ad Smith said she feels she has a mandate from Albertans through public consultation. Rebecca Schulz, a former Kenney cabinet minister, questioned the passage of such a controversial bill so soon. “I think we can’t go into the first legislative session with a bill that other candidates don’t support at this stage,” Schultz said. “I don’t think this is good for unity.” Smith acknowledged that she has taken “bold” positions, but said that’s what leaders do. “For too long the conservatives have led and ruled with polls,” Smith said. He noted that other candidates have adopted versions of the sovereignty law in their platforms along with policies to prevent future health restrictions linked to COVID-19. “Every other candidate on stage followed my lead,” Smith said. “That’s what leadership looks like: you take a bold position, bring people around you, consult, get feedback and tweak, and then let people disagree.” The other candidates are UCP backbencher Brian Jean and former UCP panel member Todd Loewen. Zhan stressed that inflation is the biggest issue to be tackled, promising to end royalties on petrol and reduce transmission and distribution fees on electricity bills. Story continues below ad Lowen stressed that Alberta needs to recoup spending that has seen debt levels rise by billions in recent years. The race for leadership is now in the homestretch. There are nearly 124,000 registered and eligible party members. Smith is seen as the front-runner based on how she has been at the center of opposition attacks throughout the campaign. The deadline to register to vote for party members was two weeks ago and candidates are now focusing on winning support from members as their first or second choice for leader. The winner will be announced on Oct. 6 using a preferential ballot, meaning lower-tier options may be put into play if the first-place winner does not win a majority in the first round of voting. Ballots will be mailed starting Friday, and members can vote by mail or in person. 2:07 Leaders in rural Alberta municipalities concerned about proposed provincial police force Previous Video Next Video Related News © 2022 The Canadian Press

title: “Danielle Smith Faces Fresh Attacks During Latest Ucp Leadership Debate Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-03” author: “Maegan Williams”

Smith was criticized for her proposed act on Alberta sovereignty and for leading to a mass defection to the Progressive Conservatives in late 2014 that nearly decimated her Wildrose party. Former Kenney Finance Minister Travis Tuss said the floor crossing tarnished both parties with drastic consequences in the 2015 election, when both parties lost to Rachel Notley’s NDP. “Leadership and unity matter,” Toews, Smith’s primary opponent, told about 700 members attending the debate at the downtown Citadel Theater. “Just months before the 2015 election, (Smith) came out on the floor. I believe it was (the passage of the floor and the subsequent fractured Conservative movement) that ultimately contributed to an NDP government.” Story continues below ad Smith has also come under attack from multiple candidates for her central policy plan to pass the proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act this fall, if elected. The act would give the province the right to ignore federal laws and court rulings deemed harmful to its interests. Critics, including legal scholars, say such a bill is not only illegal but would create a constitutional crisis. Smith in recent weeks has downplayed the act, calling it a token document to seek rights that provinces like Quebec use. But she stressed her Alberta will refuse to enforce federal rules, particularly in areas such as health restrictions for COVID-19. Former Kenney cabinet minister Leela Aheer bluntly called the act “stupid.” “The Sovereignty Act is an attack on our Canadian and Albertan values. It’s an excuse to get out of Canada when we should be looking at ways to lead Canada,” Aheer said. READ MORE: Alberta House leader says he doubts Danielle Smith’s proposed sovereignty bill will pass Former Kenney cabinet minister Rajan Sawhney urged Smith to wait until next spring’s scheduled general election to seek a mandate for such a radical bill. “These are the kinds of things that require a mandate from Albertans,” Shawney said. Story continues below ad Smith said she feels she has a mandate from Albertans through public consultation. Rebecca Schulz, a former Kenney cabinet minister, questioned the passage of such a controversial bill so soon. “I think we can’t go into the first legislative session with a bill that other candidates don’t support at this stage,” Schultz said. “I don’t think this is good for unity.” Smith acknowledged that she has taken “bold” positions, but said that’s what leaders do. “For too long the conservatives have led and ruled with polls,” Smith said. He noted that other candidates have adopted versions of the sovereignty law in their platforms along with policies to prevent future health restrictions linked to COVID-19. “Every other candidate on stage followed my lead,” Smith said. “That’s what leadership looks like: you take a bold position, bring people around you, consult, get feedback and tweak, and then let people disagree.” The other candidates are UCP backbencher Brian Jean and former UCP panel member Todd Loewen. Zhan stressed that inflation is the biggest issue to be tackled, promising to end royalties on petrol and reduce transmission and distribution fees on electricity bills. Story continues below ad Lowen stressed that Alberta needs to recoup spending that has seen debt levels rise by billions in recent years. The race for leadership is now in the homestretch. There are nearly 124,000 registered and eligible party members. Smith is seen as the front-runner based on how she has been at the center of opposition attacks throughout the campaign. The deadline to register to vote for party members was two weeks ago and candidates are now focusing on winning support from members as their first or second choice for leader. The winner will be announced on Oct. 6 using a preferential ballot, meaning lower-tier options may be put into play if the first-place winner does not win a majority in the first round of voting. Ballots will be mailed starting Friday, and members can vote by mail or in person. 2:07 Leaders in rural Alberta municipalities concerned about proposed provincial police force Previous Video Next Video Related News © 2022 The Canadian Press