![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
'I make mistakes,' Danielle Smith admits – but what are they?
In her address to Albertans on Tuesday, Premier Danielle Smith admitted she is "far from perfect" and said she can "make mistakes" – though she hasn't yet said which mistakes or positions she was referring to.
"Having spent decades in media and hosting talk shows I discussed hundreds of different topics and sometimes took controversial positions, many of which have evolved or changed as I've grown and learn from listening to you,” Smith said in her address.
"But 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."
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 hasn't spoken publicly since her Tuesday address, and hasn't issued further details.
On Thursday, CTV News reached out to the premier for clarification on what mistakes she was refering to, but hasn't heard back.
This article will be updated if and when we hear back.
SAYING SORRY
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 those back.
"She's not really apologizing for just the last month, she's been called out for things she's said as a journalist, a lobbyist, a political figure.... so she has ten years of some varying positions," said Lars Hallstrom, a political science professor at the University of Lethbridge.
"A lot of her positions don't necessarily resonate with voters."
Hallstrom says Smith needs to expand her support, not only beyond the UCP members that voted for her, but beyond the UCP party in general.
He says the typical Alberta voter used to support conservative parties by default, but Smith needs to recognize that has changed.
"I don't know how much grey area there is," Hallstrom said.
"The reality is, the majority of the population – 60 per cent of the population – is fundamentally opposed to your positions on health measures, budget, post secondary education, charter schools et. cetera."
In her speech Tuesday, Smith pledged $600 for eligible Albertans for inflation relief.
Hallstrom said that 60 per cent of Alberta is "not going to be persuaded by a $600 present."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.