Results for: Danielle Smith

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is looking to extend her winning streak as the Edmonton Oilers prepare to face off against the Florida Panthers for the Stanley Cup. Smith said she’s taking suggestions for her third playoff hockey bet, this time with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the possible wager. So far, the United Conservative Party premier is 2-for-2 on her playoff gambles with counterparts in British Columbia and Texas. British Columbia Premier David Eby made good on his losing wager Monday, two weeks after the Vancouver Canucks were ousted by the Oilers in the second round. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series against the Panthers goes Saturday in Sunrise, Fla.

Fourteen Alberta LGBTQ+ organizations have banned Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party (UCP) from participating in 2024 Pride celebrations due to the government’s policies targeting the transgender community. The groups cited Smith’s intention to restrict healthcare access and infringe on the rights of transgender individuals, stating that these policies do not represent the views of the gender and sexually diverse community.

British Columbia Premier David Eby and his Alberta counterpart, Danielle Smith, put aside their provincial rivalry to attend Game 2 of the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks playoff series on Friday. Despite the friendly encounter, the two premiers did not sit side-by-side during the game. The attendance of the two politicians comes after a social media bet over the series, where the losing Premier will have to wear the opposing team’s jersey and deliver a statement written by the winner in their provincial Legislature.

Calgary City Councillor Courtney Walcott has denounced Premier Danielle Smith’s recent social media post as “misinformation,” claiming it misrepresents a motion passed by the city council. The motion, which passed 9-6, calls on Alberta Municipalities to explore the possibility of allowing permanent residents to vote in civic elections. However, Smith’s post suggests that the council is attempting to alter election laws to allow non-citizens to vote, which is not the case. Walcott and Mayor Jyoti Gondek both criticized Smith’s post and the proposed Bill 20, which would give the provincial government more control over municipal affairs. Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver has promised to consult with municipal leaders before amending the bill, but some argue that these consultations should have been held prior to its introduction.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has forwarded an anonymous letter raising concerns about Edmonton City Councillor Keren Tang to the city’s ethics commissioner. The letter alleges that Tang used her position to benefit a non-profit organization co-founded by her husband, which had received sponsorship from an Edmonton technology organization that later leased land from the city as part of a research park development. Tang has denied any wrongdoing, stating that she has always sought guidance from the city’s ethics advisor and followed procedures closely.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has defended her decision to have a physician who has accused the province of exaggerating the impact of COVID-19 on hospitals lead a review of pandemic-era health data. Dr. Gary Davidson, the former chief of emergency medicine at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, was appointed chair of the task force a year ago. During the height of the fourth wave of the pandemic in 2021, Davidson claimed hospital admission numbers were overblown and being manipulated to justify public health restrictions. The provincial health authority, Alberta Health Services, rejected those accusations as false.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has appointed Dr. Gary Davidson, a physician who previously accused the province of exaggerating COVID-19’s impact on hospitals, to lead a review of pandemic-era health data. Smith defended her decision, stating that she wants to hear a range of viewpoints, including from those who have been silenced in the public sphere. The work of the task force is nearing completion, but few details have been made public since its creation in 2022. Smith’s decision has drawn criticism from the opposition New Democrat Leader Rachel Notley, who called it a waste of public money and an effort to legitimize fringe views.