Danielle Smith orders email review over prosecution pressure reports
Danielle Smith says she's called for a review into allegations one of her staff members tried to influence Alberta's crown prosecutors.
The premier announced the review Saturday on Corus Entertainment's "Your Province, Your Premier" radio program.
She says the public service, alongside the government's IT department, will be looking into emails sent between 400 crown prosecutors and 34 staff members in the coming days.
"As soon as we see if the emails exist, then we'll make sure that we have a presentation to the public," Smith said on the show. "We'll know next week."
The review stems from a CBC report last week alleging one of the Premier's staffers wrote emails to prosecutors last fall. The report accuses that staffer of critiquing charges brought against COVID-19 protestors in border town Coutts.
The emails were not shared in the CBC story and CTV News has not verified them.
"JUST HOW INDEPENDENT?"
News of the review hasn't quieted opposition NDP calls for a full, independent investigation done by an outside party.
"This is not sufficient to quell the chaos that the premier has fostered and encouraged," MLA Rakhi Pancholi said. "(Albertans) have said 'we don't trust you to investigate yourself,' and that's essentially what the premier has said she's going to do."
Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt also believes more than a review is needed.
He points to a recent back-and-forth with Smith first saying multiple times she had personally contacted Crown prosecutors over certain charges, then backtracking to say her communication was only with the attorney general and deputy attorney general.
"There's so much there that it does need to be investigated," Bratt told CTV News. "What version of events do you believe from the premier? Do you believe the videos that you saw? Do you believe her statements on the radio? Do you believe the statements that come out of her office?
"She's running into a major credibility gap."
Bratt -- along with many Albertans on social media -- also pointed to what could be a major flaw in the review.
"What if the emails were deleted, which they're not supposed to be? What if a staffer was using a personal email instead a government email, which they're also not supposed to do?"
COUTTS CHARGES
In January and February of 2022, a self-described freedom convoy set up a blockade at the American border crossing in Coutts.
Multiple protesters were arrested.
"These are very serious charges, related to weapons, related to potential conspiracy to commit murder of police officers," Pancholi said. "The (justice) system needs to be able to do its job."
The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service denies it has been contacted by someone from the premier's office about the cases.
EMERGENCY CAUCUS MEETING
The UCP will hold an emergency caucus meeting Saturday evening, likely to address the allegations.
"I'm sure there are caucus members -- particularly those in Calgary in vulnerable seats -- that are getting very worried," Bratt said. "Because these stories keep cropping up, week by week."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.