Danielle Smith faces criticism of sovereignty plan, cancer remarks in UCP leadership debate

Danielle Smith, considered one ofthe front-runners in the United Conservative Party leadership race,faced sharp criticism Wednesday from debate rivals over her Albertasovereignty plan and controversial comments on cancer.

Many of the seven candidates, including three who left PremierJason Kenney's cabinet to run in the race, criticized Smith'sproposal to immediately bring in a bill to give Alberta the power toignore federal laws and court rulings deemed not in its interest.

They said Alberta must push back against the federal government,but said Smith's plan is not only illegal and unenforceable itwould also create business uncertainty at a time the province isjust getting back on its feet financially.

"It would be great to just wish away all our problems with thisthing called the sovereignty act. We're delusional if we thinkthat's going to happen," former finance minister Travis Toews toldSmith at the debate, held in the HALO air ambulance hangar at theMedicine Hat Regional Airport.

"We need a strategic thoughtful approach. That's how we win."

Rajan Sawhney, the former transportation minister, said such anact would fail in the courts and bring debilitating economicuncertainty.

Former children's services minister Rebecca Schulz told Smith,"You are writing cheques you can't cash and making promises youcan't keep."

UCP backbench member Brian Jean called the plan "a fiscal fairytale."

Smith, a former radio talk show host and Wildrose party leader,rejected the criticism. She said her proposed act can pass legalmuster and said it is the federal government that has createduncertainty in Alberta through policies that strangle development ofthe oil and gas industry.

"Ottawa has created the chaos," said Smith.

Legal scholars say such a bill is not only illegalbutalso adangerous dismissal of respect for the rule of law. Government houseleader Jason Nixon and Toews, who has the support of almost half theUCP caucus, have said they doubt the house would even pass such abill.

Front-runners and backbenchers

Polling suggests Smith, Toews, and Jean are the front-runners inthe race that culminates in an Oct. 6 vote toreplace Kenney as party leader and premier.

Smith was the focus of criticism from Toews, Sawhney and Jeanagain during the health policy section of the debate for stating ina recent podcast that responsibility for early-stage cancer iswithin a patient's control. Patients and health professionals havecalled that profoundly misinformed and cruel.

Smith told the debate audience her comments were expressed"awkwardly" and that she only meant to say preventive healthmeasures are just one more way to help detect, prevent and combatearly-stage cancer.

"I know cancer can strike anyone at any time," said Smith.

Sawhney said Smith's comments ring hollow given she "doubleddown" on her initial comments the day after she made them, addingSmith needs to apologize to Albertans.

"Those comments are very hurtful to any Albertan, any Canadian,who has lost somebody from cancer or anybody who is suffering fromcancer right now," said Sawhney.

Smith countered: "When we look at what happened over the lasttwo years of COVID lockdowns, and I haven't heard any apology fromany of the cabinet ministers who imposed that on us for the last twoyears I'd like to see an apology there."

Smith was unable to finish her sentence as she was drowned out bywhoops, cheers and applause from the audience.

Sawhney replied, "It's easy to make those kind of remarks whenyou've never been in government at that capacity and you haven't hadto make those tough decisions."

The debate also focused on leadership, the economy, and theenvironment.

Independent legislature member Todd Loewen, expelled from the UCPcaucus last year for criticizing Kenney, demanded Toews come cleanon whether he would impose a provincial sales tax given that he haspreviously refused to rule one out.

Toews said he has never considered implementing one.

UCP backbencher Leela Aheer, speaking to the economy, said thegovernment needs to do more for Albertans facing high costs due toinflation starting with re-indexing income supports for those inneed.