Today, I’ll be live-tweeting the Q&A with Danielle Smith being hosted by the Calgary-Lougheed constituency association. #abpoli #alberta #daniellesmith 
Calgary-Lougheed MLA Eric Bouchard is introduced by the constituency association’s president Darrell Komick. Bouchard thanked those in the room for attending, and the newly-elected board for the constituency.
Bouchard says that “the funny thing about truth is that it’s often ridiculed,” speaking on Danielle Smith’s leadership race. He said that Smith speaking on her advocacy for the unvaccinated gave him hope for a brighter future.
Bouchard says that Calgary-Lougheed is the first constituency association to endorse Smith ahead of the premier leadership review. He then introduces Smith.
@ABDanielleSmith thanks Bouchard for inviting her to the event and for the work he’s done as MLA. She says that he’s continued the legacy of strong conservative leadership in the riding, which has “always had a conservative representative.”
@ABDanielleSmith Before the question period begins, Smith provides updates to the crowd on what her government has worked on so far. She mentions ending vaccine mandates, not raising taxes, overhauling AHS, and growing key Alberta industries.
@ABDanielleSmith She talks about the sovereignty act, and how the provincial government has had to use it twice so far—on the oil and gas emission plans and energy regulation.
@ABDanielleSmith Smith says, “I’m sure you’ve heard that they’ve banned cow farts in Denmark. I’m sure if they could get away with it, [the federal government] would try that too.”
@ABDanielleSmith She says that they’ll continue fighting for Albertans until @PierrePoilievre is the next prime minister in 2025.
@ABDanielleSmith @PierrePoilievre She then discusses COVID-19 vaccine measures, saying that the UCP are planning to update the Alberta Bill of Rights in the fall, amending it so those who refuse medical procedures—like the vaccine—cannot be discriminated against.
@ABDanielleSmith @PierrePoilievre Then, she talks about strengthening trust in government, primarily by removing electronic tabulators from municipal and provincial elections.
@ABDanielleSmith @PierrePoilievre Smith says that freedom of speech is also a future priority, so that the “gag orders put on Albertans and Canadians by the Liberal-NDP coalition” ends.
@ABDanielleSmith @PierrePoilievre She also says that Alberta will “never adopt” safe supply measures, because they “do not believe there is such a thing as a safe supply of heroin,” and that safe supply measures just give addicts drugs until there is no hope in saving them.
“I will always fight for you until the next election and beyond,” Smith says. “I am here because like you, I love Alberta.”
Then, Komick begins the question period. He tells Smith that 473 people are in attendance tonight. He said that 63 questions were submitted. Upon entering the event, a booklet of all of the approved questions were handed out to attendees.
He asks his first question, saying that 2 million people have watched the Injection of Truth Town Hall. He asks Smith why the number of unexplained deaths has increased 3,328%.
Smith responds that she asked that same question, and wondered what changed. She says there’s no doubt that the number is higher and that she’s working with the Chief Medical Officer to understand why it’s so high.
She says that one explanation that she heard from medical researchers is that lockdowns have negative impacts on people, and that there is no longer a category for sudden infant death syndrome, when there was before.
Smith says that the UCP just doesn’t have the data right now, but they’re working on recategorizing the deaths that have been marked as unexplained. Komick says that Canada is reluctant to use data that other countries have used to ban mRNA vaccines.
He discusses the Injection of Truth event, saying they had 6 of the “world’s finest doctors” to present their evidence. He asks Smith why the UCP caucus is not stopping children mRNA vaccines.
She answers that there was a member-passed policy that allowed parents to make those decisions for their children, and they want to preserve parental choice. Some members of the crowd begin heckling Smith. She answers that choice preservation is their priority.
She then says that the UCP will follow international data and “good science,” whether it’s for mRNA vaccines or surgeries and procedures for trans youth.
Komick then says that Smith called the data bad, so why isn’t caucus providing informed consent when parents consent to vaccines for their children. He says that right now it looks like the government supports vaccines as they currently “are in the charts.”
The crowd heckles Smith again. She says that she believes Albertans are smart, and says that 6 per cent of Albertans are choosing to vaccinate their children, while 94 per cent are not. She says they’re working on making the information available to Albertans.
“I don’t think the government should stand in the way of a relationship between a patient and their doctor,” Smith says.
She cites Dr. Byram Bridle— who attended the Injection of Truth event—and his definition of vaccines, which is that patients get one dose and are protected for life.
Komick moves on to the fourth question, which asks why the government passed Bill 2, which “backs them into a corner” because it requires a referendum before Alberta can withdraw from the Canadian Pension Plan.
Smith says that she was asked to add that provision by Albertans, and that no legislation would be passed without a referendum. She says that she felt she was very clear, but that Alberta is overpaying into the pension program, but not receiving equal amounts.
Instead of going to Albertans, that money is then used on Eastern Canada “to win votes,” she says.
Smith says a third of Albertans are against an APP, a third in favour of an APP, and a third who are “willing to be convinced.”
Komick says that some feel like Smith is pandering to the NDP by putting an APP to a referendum. Smith denies that, and says that she was told by the Fair Deal Panel to hold a referendum.
Komick then asks how Smith balances the grassroots UCP supporters and members in the legislature who “are working against your leadership.” Smith says that there isn’t anyone working in the legislature against her leadership, and that they have a really “strong crew.”
She says that her caucus meets regularly, and that members often go to each other’s events. Bouchard says that he doesn’t have any previous caucus experience, but that based on what other MLAs are saying, things have changed.
He adds that he feels that “everyone is moving in the same direction,” even when members disagree with each other. Smith says that she has to be very clear with people when it comes to “fighting the guy on the other side,” referring to @nenshi, leader of the NDP.
@nenshi She says that it’s important to remember what the NDP advocated for during the COVID-19 pandemic, even though they’ve “put on a moderate face now.”
@nenshi She says that the next election will be tight, and that’s why it’s important to get feedback from constituents.
@nenshi Smith says that she never looks at a conservative and thinks that she disagrees with them 10 per cent of the time. Instead, she sees that she agrees with them 90 per cent of the time, because she never agrees with the other guys.
@nenshi Komick asks Smith why Alison Redford was named to the Invest Alberta Corporation’s Board of Directors, despite being a contentious person. Smith says that if people think they’re qualified, they should put their names forward instead.
@nenshi She says that the UCP government does not want people working in positions if they will go against the government.
@nenshi Komick then asks about “illegal government mandated lockdowns,” asking if the UCP government will support the certification of a class action lawsuit seeking compensation for Albertans who were “economically devastated,” particularly small businesses.
@nenshi Smith asks Komick if he’s trying to get her to comment on the justice system, and that she’s “gone down that path before.” She adds it’s not the place of the government to comment on class action lawsuits or the justice system.
@nenshi She says that a precedence has been set both in Alberta and in the US on similar cases. She says that she believes the courts were hesitant to override health orders during the pandemic, but they are now making different decisions. She says she doesn’t want to interfere.
@nenshi Komick asks why she can’t speak on the cases, referencing a comment she made that her wings were clipped. Smith says, “listen guys, it’s illegal for me to comment on an ongoing court case.”
@nenshi She says that that is included in the constitution. She adds that she is a constitutionalist, and will follow the constitution above all else.
@nenshi Komick asks his next question: when will the provincial government support doctors speaking out against the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons, particularly when they prescribe off-label medicine like ivermectin.
@nenshi Smith says that half of the ACPS’s board is appointed by doctors, which “is a problem,” and that’s why she doesn’t have the control she did over AHS. She says that she wants to leave medical discretion up to doctors in the cases where Health Canada has deemed it safe.
@nenshi Komick asks if Smith could remove the ability to punish or remove doctors from ACPS, which Smith says she could. He adds that doctors attempting to speak out against the system “are being crushed” by a non-elected body.
@nenshi Komick asks why Smith cannot dismantle ACPS, and she says that isn’t possible without a regulatory body, which Justice Minister Mickey Amery is overseeing.
@nenshi Komick asks Smith if she can add ivermectin to the list of drugs that are allowed to be prescribed, which she laughs at in response. She asks if ivermectin is still banned, which the crowd replies yes.
She said that the government should look at supporting double-blind drug trials through Alberta Innovates to fill existing gaps.
She says that doctors should have “free latitude” to treat patients in the best interest of the patients, including drug testing drugs Health Canada deems safe.
Komick asks Smith when she thinks Alberta will see “actually meaningful change in AHS.” Smith says that the government is finding different ways to bring change to AHS, like allowing nurse practitioners to take on more patients to decrease the load on doctors.
“I know it’s frustrating that it’s not moving fast enough,” she says but she assures the crowed that they’re making progress on health reform in Alberta.
The town hall pivots to the carbon tax next. Komick asks why the UCP supports an “carbon is the enemy of life” narrative. Smith says they don’t, and that they’ll double oil and gas production in Alberta.
She then discusses carbon capture imitative and businesses that are turning emission capping into a revenue stream, which is what she’s looking at next.
She says that as other countries begin exploring carbon capture initiatives, oil and gas from Alberta will increase in profit. She says that she supports innovation as a conservative.
Komick asks why Alberta can’t issue its own passport to control constructive immigration within the province. “I don’t know if Albertans want 10 million immigrants in Alberta,” he says.
He adds another question: why can’t Alberta hold a referendum to grow the population to 10 million people.
Smith says that 200,000 people moved to Alberta last year, partly because “we were on the forefront” of changes to COVID-19 protocols and policies following the pandemic.
She says that she wants to bring immigrants who have skills and trades, then create a pathway toward permanent immigration.
She says this makes more sense than the federal point system. Komick says that there is no point system, and that during the invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainians were invited in, and “now we have people wearing swastikas walking around.”
He adds that the Albertan and Canadian culture needs to be preserved. Smith says she has not seen the swastikas that Komick is referencing, and that she wants to attract immigrants who are a good fit for Alberta and who aren’t a drain on the government.
Komick then asks if the Alberta government will pass the Alberta Bill of Rights as drafted, or if they’ll “allow misinformation spreaders like @CaulfieldTim to fill the void of information and kibosh the changes.”
@CaulfieldTim Smith says that all bills need to be read multiple times before being passed.
@CaulfieldTim The next question asks who will prosecute members of the Alberta Teachers Association who insist on providing children with materials that are classified as pornographic. Smith says that parents need to be able to report teachers acting inappropriately.
@CaulfieldTim She says that she saw this in her own riding, where a school was handing out pamphlets teaching students how to use a crack pipe.
@CaulfieldTim Komick then brings up municipal corruption—like in Chestermere and Cochrane—asking if a public tribunal could be held for citizens to listen to evidence provided by both sides then act as a jury. Smith says the ultimate public tribunal was held when an election was called.
Komick asks Smith “what point of consensus or contention amongst the Canadian Premiers at the recent Council of the Federation surprised you?” Smith answered that Canada meeting its 2 per cent NATO agreement, which “surprised the media.”
She said Canada is largely undefended, and that Canada needs to support the goals set out by the USA, or they won’t support Canadian initiatives. Komick asks if something like the state of Hawaii would be possible, where they’re both a military base and tourist attraction.
He said that Churchill, Manitoba could serve this purpose. Smith agrees, and says that Manitoba’s premier @WabKinew was most in favour of the NATO goal, since they’re an “Arctic-facing province.”
@WabKinew Komick brings up the fires in Jasper, asking if the recent destruction is enough to “repatriate national parks” to Alberta. Smith says it’s federal property, and that the province couldn’t enter their airspace without permission.
@WabKinew A member of the crowd screams “take it back,” which Smith ignores. Smith says there were too many delays in the fire fighting process, even if the province had the materials ready to fight the fire.
@WabKinew Smith says that the left are always saying “follow the science,” which advised the government to remove the dead wood for decades, which they didn’t do.
@WabKinew Komick asks if Albertans can have the defence of their person and not be charged if they hold perpetrators at gunpoint until law enforcement can arrive in the event of a crime. Smith says that the system needs to work and cops need to arrive when they’re called.
@WabKinew Komick asks why the UCP doesn’t rescind mandatory vaccine requirements. Smith says they have, even though Bonnie Henry “ended the pandemic last week.”
@WabKinew Komick then asks Smith about the Olympic ceremonies which “actively belittled Christians by mocking the biblical apostles of the Last Supper.” Komick said it “seemed to me as a display of satanism.”
@WabKinew Smith says that that was unacceptable, and no other religion would be treated that way. She added that the Olympics have already felt the consequences with multiple advisors pulling out.
@WabKinew At 8:05, Smith asks if they can wrap it up, as there is a potential for 60 questions in the Q&A. Komick says there is 6 more questions. Multiple crowd members yell at Komick to wrap it up.
@WabKinew Komick then asks what can be done to protect vulnerable Albertans from rental rate spikes. Smith says that they need to keep up with demand and build as many homes as possible. She says the government needs to balance the build rate with the amount of people moving to Alberta.
@WabKinew Komick asks if the UCP can import a ban on malicious dog breeds like pit bulls, especially as attacks are on the rise. Smith says she loves dogs, and that if “you have a problem with the dog, you have a problem with the owner.” She adds that she’s reluctant to blame the breed.
Komick asks about the transgender policy, particularly the recruitment of a surgeon specializing in sex-reassignment surgeries, and what the timeline is for that. Smith says that these are adult decisions and kids can’t make this choice.
She adds that children’s rights need to be protected at all costs.
One of Smith’s staff members asks Komick to wrap up “the longest Q&A in history.” Following the end of the Q&A, Smith is met with a standing ovation.
And that concludes my live tweeting of the event! Thank you for tuning in.
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