Notley, Kenney raise issues, throw mud during byelection stops in Fort McMurray

Halfway through abyelection fight, Alberta's political leaders parachuted into Fort McMurray and went to head-to-head over gay-straight alliances and updates to the farmsafety act.

Both Premier Rachel Notleyand United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenneyare in Fort McMurraycampaigning for their candidates in the upcoming byelection.

NDPcandidate JaneStroudand theUCP'sLailaGoodridgeare vyingto fill the seat vacated by former Wildroseleader Brian Jean. The byelection will be held on July 12.

Provincial issues and some campaign-style rhetoric crept into the leaders' visits.

Notleypicked up the attack on Kenneythat was started Wednesday by EducationMinister DavidEggenaftera Medicine Hat judge dismissed a bidto delay legislation that stopped schools from telling parents when their child joins a GSA,

Eggen called the decisionadefeat forKenneyand his allies, and Notley reinforced that idea on Thursday.

• Alberta judge dismisses bid to place gay-straight alliance law on hold

"JasonKenneysupporters andhis proxy group failed in their bid to suspend protections for vulnerable young kids in our schools," Notleysaid. "And we were very pleased yesterday that the courts said to do that would be to make kids unsafe, and they would not do it."

On Wednesday, Kenneysaid Eggen's comments were an example of the NDP politicizing the issue. He said the UCPrespects theruling from Court of Queen's Bench Justice JohnnaKubik.

"The courts are not political. The courts are independent of politics in our country," Kenneysaid. "Unlike the NDP, I don't think we should be politicizing independent decisions."

Kenney took the opportunity to be critical ofnew farm safety rules, still commonly called Bill 6,whichcomeinto effect Dec. 1.

• UCP vow to repeal farm safety bill a mistake, agriculture coalition says

The 17changes or exemptions to occupational health and safety rules will applyto the province's 4,200 farms and ranches. Kenneysaid he's committed to repealing the legislation.

"What we hear from Alberta farmers loud and clear not professional lobbyists but regular hardworking people in agriculture is that this bill is a massive cost driver for them. It is unnecessary red tape," Kenney said Wednesday evening.

• MORE FORTMcMURRAYNEWS: 'I will not be resigning,' says embattled Fort McMurray councillor
• MORE FORTMcMURRAYNEWS:Fort McMurray councillor who violated conflict of interest rules withheld key information, report says
• MORE FORTMcMURRAYNEWS:Flying air-monitoring lab tests emissions in oilsands region

Notley on Thursday said that Kenney's policies are dangerous.

"I think it is incredibly backwardlooking of Mr.Kenneyto suggest we would throw that out," Notley said. "I think quite frankly people will die and families will be left without compensation if he moves forward on that plan. It is incredibly unwise."

Connect with David Thurton, CBC'sFort McMurraycorrespondent, onFacebook,Twitter,LinkedInor email him atdavid.thurton@cbc.ca