The Weekly Roundup - October 17, 2022
Danielle Smith was sworn in as Premier last Tuesday and many of her comments both old and new have been generating headlines in the following days.
In her first news conference as Premier, Smith fielded questions from reporters for an hour on a wide range of topics including the proposed Sovereignty Act, removing Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw and the AHS Board, running in a byelection in Brooks - Medicine Hat, support for Ukraine and her lack of communication with former Premier Jason Kenney following her win. It was the final question from the Globe and Mail’s Carrie Tait that generated the most attention when Smith said that unvaccinated Albertans are “the most discriminated against group that I've ever witnessed in my lifetime.” Smith issued a follow up stating in part that she “did not intend to trivialize in any way the discrimination faced by minority communities and other persecuted groups.”
Other comments that Smith has made on social media on topics ranging from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, mRNA vaccines, digital currencies and the so-called freedom convoy have been unearthed since Smith won the leadership. The Premier issued a statement criticizing the NDP for attempting to politicize the war in Ukraine.
The slow drip of social media posts are sure to be a topic of conversation at the UCP’s caucus retreat now underway and will be top of mind in the opposition NDP’s framing of the Leader’s byelection run, the fall Legislative session and spring election. It will be paramount for Smith's team to set the tone and reframe the conversation around the topics that Albertans want to hear from the Premier on, including affordability and job creation.
Smith’s cabinet will be announced on Friday before the party’s AGM being held this weekend at the River Cree Resort. You can expect to see less faces from Calgary in cabinet and more of a focus on rural MLAs along with some new MLAs rewarded for endorsing Smith in the leadership race. The cabinet will be sworn in a week today at Government House. The Premier has said her intention is to hold another media availability on the 24th.
While the Legislature was set to resume on Halloween, the Premier announced that the return will be delayed until after the byelection is held in Brooks - Medicine Hat where she hopes to earn a seat. The Legislature will instead sit from November 29 to December 22.
Below, you’ll find a recap of other government announcements made and Orders in Council passed since our last edition.
Government of Alberta Announcements
At the 2022 Meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Justice and Public Safety the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick jointly opposed the federal use of police resources to confiscate legally acquired firearms.
Beginning October 24, the bivalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster, which includes the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, will be available in Alberta for those 12 years and older.
Beginning today, Albertans six months of age and older can get their flu vaccine.
Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro issued a statement about the inquiry on the use of the federal Emergencies Act.
Orders in Council
OC 359/2022: Makes the Election Act Forms Amendment Regulation to align forms with the new sovereign, King Charles III.
OC 360/2022: Authorizes the issuance of a writ of election for the electoral division of Brooks-Medicine Hat and provides that, where voting is necessary, November 8, 2022 shall be the day on which voting is to take place.
Upcoming Events Calendar
October 21-23, 2022: UCP AGM at River Cree Resort
November 8, 2022: Brooks - Medicine Hat byelection
November 29, 2022: Alberta Legislature Session tentatively scheduled to resume