Danielle Smith declines to give specifics on 'mistakes' referenced in Alberta address
Premier Danielle Smith said last week that she is "far from perfect" and can "make mistakes" – but has declined to give further details about what specifically she was referring to.
Smith was asked to clarify her remarks at a government news conference in Edmonton on Monday, a transcription of her response is as follows:
CTV News: "In your TV address last week you said you've made mistakes and you've taken controversial opinions, many of which have evolved. Can you be specific about those mistakes and how you're learning from them?"
Smith: "Can you be specific about what you'd like to ask me about?"
CTV News: "Some of the mistakes you're referring to?"
Smith: "If you've got an example, please…."
CTV News: "That's what I'm asking."
Smith: "I'm asking you for an example."
CTV News: "I'm asking what you would have been referring to."
Smith: "Well, you know, I'm looking at the issues as they come up today. I've got a new job and I'm going to make sure that every issue that comes forward goes through my caucus and cabinet so that we've got consensus as a party on how to move forward on things. That's just the process that we go through. I've got a different job now, and that's what I'm going to do."
In her pre-recorded address to Albertans last Tuesday, Smith said having spent decades in media and hosting talk shows, she discussed "hundreds of different topics" and sometimes took "controversial positions," saying "many of which have evolved or changed" as she's grown.
"I know I'm not a talk show host or a media commentator any longer. That's not my job today. My job today is to serve each and every Albertan with everything I have, and to the best of my ability, however imperfect that may be at times," she said.
Smith added that when she is wrong or makes a mistake, she will "look to follow the example of our dear departed friend – Premier Ralph Klein – admit to it, learn from it and get back to work."
Smith's first month in office has been a rocky one, not only because of controversial comments she's made since becoming premier – but also because of comments she made in the past.
From saying cancer patients can do more to prevent their disease from progressing to Stage 4, to referring to unvaccinated people as the "most discriminated group" she's witnessed in her lifetime, to seemingly justifying Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Smith has upset many Albertans across the political spectrum with her statements.
She's since walked back comments made about those three topics, but didn't specify Monday if those were the "mistakes" she was referencing in her speech.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it's too late
Christine Roess is a retired consultant. Ezra Bozeman has spent the last 49 years in prison, serving a life sentence for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Against the odds, the two fell in love.