Under its new premier, Alberta is fast becoming the Fortress Of Crazy. Kieran Leavitt reports that:
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she wants a “blanket amnesty” for residents charged with violating public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and, in what one expert called a nod to conspiracy theories, to cut ties between the province’s health authority and the World Economic Forum.
Smith has spent much of her time in her new position as premier railing against decisions made during the pandemic, moves she was also a loud critic of as a radio host and UCP leadership contestant.
The new premier has already pledged never to lock down again, come under fire for suggesting unvaccinated people were the most discriminated-against group she’d ever seen, and promised to protect unvaccinated people under the Alberta Human Rights Act.
Smith’s latest step in ripping the provincial government away from its past record of health restrictions was delivered Friday during an internet livestream with the Western Standard just minutes after announcing her new cabinet picks.
“I believe that Alberta Health Services is the source of a lot of the problems that we’ve had,” she said.
Smith sees the World Economic Forum as the source of great evil:
“They signed some kind of partnership with the World Economic Forum right in the middle of the pandemic; we’ve gotta address that. Why in the world do we have anything to do with the World Economic Forum? That’s got to end.”
It wasn’t immediately clear what Smith was referring to, although Alberta Health Services was invited to join the WEF Global Coalition for Value in Healthcare in the summer of 2020, according to a news release from the time. The website for the coalition bills it as a global partnership where solutions can be explored for delivering better health outcomes and “innovative new approaches to person-centered health care.”
The World Economic Forum has been at the centre of conspiracy theories propelled through misinformation on the internet around a supposed “Great Reset” that would, the theories falsely assert, see global elites launch a coup to essentially take over world governments.
Lori Williams, a policy studies professor at Mount Royal University, said Smith took a day where she could have ushered in a new tone of stability after a series of headline-grabbing missteps and instead “shoots herself in the foot.”
“Rather than signalling continuity and competence, which I think her cabinet picks were meant to do, she has signalled an association with conspiracies again,” Williams said.
Smith has recently come under fire after independent journalist Justin Ling unearthed social media posts she’d made in the past dabbling in misinformation, some of which she’s already apologized for after making “ill-informed” comments about the war in Ukraine.
“She’s basically reminded anybody who might have forgotten or been willing to look in a different direction … of her inability to distinguish between credible, critically assessed information and conspiracy theories,” Williams said.
The American Disease has flourished in Alberta.
Image: The Toronto Star
12 comments:
As always, follow the money. Smith had the biggest campaign war chest and easily won the UPC leadership race. In other words, she was the oil and gas industry's most acceptable candidate.
You don't get to wear that hat without denying the science of climate change. And once you've done that, denying the science behind public health measures comes easy and leads to belief in a whole constellation of conspiracy theories.
The days of conservatism being a reluctance to change the status quo are long gone. Today's conservatives are radical extremists, and being on the crazy train is a solid sign that you're part of the tribe.
Cap
Given the American influence in the oil patch, Cap, it shouldn't be surprising that crazy is now the order of the day.
Cap:
"she was the oil and gas industry's most acceptable candidate."
not likely - Notley would be their pick - she's as good a greenwasher as Jr.
Maybe a few of the smaller ff 'entrepreneurs' might back Smith, but not Big-FF.
They don't like unpredictable rural right-wing crazy any more than you and I do.
Daniele Smith: Another charter member of the" Dingbats R Us" Club. I never thought I would regard Jason Kenny as almost moderate (but here we are). I don't know or understand where Alberta voters think they are going, but it seems its more than time to get off the Reform Bus! and "St. Stephen" becomes a distant memory.
"a nod to conspiracy theories"?
I'm more getting a smoldering bra/bridge/flag burning ,fist bumping, high five and continuous horn honking accompanied by dog whistles vibe from her.
RULE SHORTLY AND LEAVE A BIG DENT might be the go to bumper sticker here soon. Currently very popular in Great Britain.
And if Boris makes it back, watch for Kenneys' blue 1/2 ton.
I suspect that Smith has the full support of the oil industry, PoV.
It doesn't appear that will happen any time soon, Lulymay.
What happened to Truss should be a warning shot for conservatives everywhere, lungta. However,I suspect they're not listening.
Ms. Smith is doing what she thinks would get here into the Premier's chair. It worked and now she thinks it will keep her there. We don't know what she really thinks but we do know what she is willing to do to stay where she is.
Now it could be she actually believes what she is saying and if that is the case, welcome to MAGA North. With some of her comments, it could be the federal government is going to be in a world of trouble dealing with her. We can only hope, she is turfed from office soon, real soon.
Clearly, e.a.f, Smith thinks MAGA North is the way of the future. I think she's wrong.
Smith will soon follow the route taken by Truss..
She is already walking some of her statements and policies.
TB
It'll be interesting to see how long she lasts, TB.
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