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The debate comes at a time when many of the candidates will be looking to make a name for themselves in the crowded race
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July 27, 2022 • 8 hours ago • 4 minutes read • 15 comments Candidates, left to right, Todd Loewen, Daniel Smith, Rajan Sawney, Rebecca Schultz, Leila Ayer, Travis Toews and Brian Jean attend the Alberta United Conservative Party debate of the leadership candidate in Medicine Hat, Alta., Wednesday, July 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Photo by Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
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In their first official debate as they battle to replace Prime Minister Jason Kenney, the United Conservative leadership candidates have turned their attention to race favorite Daniel Smith.
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Along with discussions about party unity and advocating for Alberta’s interests, the six other candidates who took the stage Wednesday in Medicine Hat spent much of their time attacking Smith’s promised Alberta Sovereignty Act and criticizing recent statements that she did regarding cancer treatment as well as her past advocacy for PST.
“A Daniel Smith victory today means a Rachel Notley government tomorrow,” former transport minister Rajan Sawney told the crowd at Medicine Hat Regional Airport’s HALO hangar.
“We have a choice. One choice is to roll the dice on risky and hot ideas, but if we lose that gamble, the losers are Albertans.
If elected, Smith has promised an Alberta Sovereignty Act, which she says will allow Alberta to override federal laws, court decisions and regulatory decisions. Critics warned it would create a potential constitutional crisis, undermine the rule of law and scare off investors.
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UCP backbencher Brian Jean called the idea a “fiscal fairy tale” and argued better ways to counter Ottawa included constitutional negotiations with Canada after last year’s equalization referendum.
“Step 1 is to act on the incredible mandate that Albertans gave us in the referendum — 62 percent — that we can force Canada to the constitutional negotiating table,” he said.
Former Culture Minister Leila Ahir said there are ways to work within the constitution and achieve “huge wins” for Alberta.
Former finance minister Travis Toews said the province needs a “strategic and thoughtful” response when dealing with Ottawa.
“It would be great to just wish away all the trouble with this thing called the Sovereignty Act,” he said. “We’re fooling ourselves if we think that’s going to happen, it just won’t.”
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Former Children’s Services Secretary Rebecca Schultz told Smith: “You’re writing checks you can’t cash and making promises you can’t keep.”
Smith defended his plan, suggesting it was to “warn Ottawa.”
“We have allowed the federal government to come after us in every single area of our jurisdiction,” she said.
“We always lose when we face Ottawa. They take all our money and give it back with conditions, steal the rest and use it to win votes in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
Smith also took heat for comments he made last week that the early stages of cancer leading to a Stage 4 diagnosis were “completely within your control”.
During the debate, she said her comments had been “misunderstood” and that she was an advocate of early detection, early treatment, nutrition and holistic medicine.
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“There’s so much more opportunity if you diagnose early and you can treat early, and that’s what I was trying to say, albeit very awkwardly,” she said while touting her proposed $300 health spending bill for health services that don’t cover from the province.
Smith’s explanation wasn’t enough for many on the scene.
“These comments are very offensive to every Albertan, every Canadian who has lost someone to cancer or anyone who is currently suffering from cancer,” Sawney said.
Smith countered: “When we look at what happened in the last two years of the COVID lockdown and I haven’t heard any apology from any of the cabinet ministers who have forced this on us for the last two years – I would like to see an apology there.
This drew a standing ovation from the audience.
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Sawney replied: “It’s easy to make those kinds of remarks when you’ve never been in government in that capacity and never had to make those tough decisions.”
Smith was also called upon to address her previous PST advocacy in a 2020 Postmedia column.
“As a columnist for over 25 years, I have reflected on many issues. And I want to put in context my thinking — it was when we were in a $24 billion deficit,” she said.
Toews also insisted he never considered PST.
The debate was not without subtle jabs at Kenney and those who were members of his cabinet, as infighting led to a management review and Kenney’s decision to resign.
Todd Loewen, who was kicked out of the faction for criticizing Kenney, accused Toews of failing to stand up to the prime minister.
“Jason Kenny’s record is your record. I stood up,” he said.
Toews responded by saying he represents his constituents at the cabinet table, “making a difference instead of standing on the outside sniping.”
Wednesday was the first of two formal leadership debates. A new UCP leader and Alberta premier will be elected on October 6.
– with files from Lisa Johnson and The Canadian Press
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