Public safety becomes top issue for UCP election amid questions of Premier’s political interference

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Alberta’s Municipal Affairs Minister questioned the Opposition’s record Wednesday on public safety, support for police, and addressing crime and disorder – a cluster of related issues that are emerging as key planks in the United Conservative Party’s platform in next month’s provincial election.

During a news conference called by the party, not the government, Rebecca Schulz set out to differentiate the UCP by resurfacing social-media comments from New Democratic Party candidates she said were critical of the police.

It was the second day in a row that UCP members discussed tough-on-crime policies, pledging on Tuesday 100 additional officers between Calgary and Edmonton to address violence on public-transit systems.

But Ms. Schulz ended up being bombarded with questions about her party leader, Premier Danielle Smith, who is facing allegations of political interference into pandemic-related prosecutions.

During a recorded phone conversation, which was made public last week, Ms. Smith is heard expressing sympathy for a man facing criminal charges related to the Coutts, Alta., border blockade last winter.

During the call, believed to have taken place in January, the Premier said she was speaking with crown prosecutors “almost weekly” about cases like his. Ms. Smith has said that she used “imprecise” language and was actually referring to Justice Ministry officials.

She is now refusing to answer questions on the matter because of potential legal action against the media.

Ms. Schulz, who is running for re-election in Calgary-Shaw and lost her bid for UCP leader against Ms. Smith, did not denounce the phone call and declined to comment on whether it was appropriate.

“As elected officials, we hear from Albertans on a variety of issues every single day. When it comes to this case, the Premier did reach out to the Minister of Justice for advice,” she said.

Six United Conservative candidates joined Ms. Schulz on Wednesday, but Justice Minister Tyler Shandro, who represents Calgary-Acadia, was not among them. He has not made a public appearance, nor answered questions from the media, since the phone conversation came to light.

Lori Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University, said it will be difficult for the UCP to sell this tough-on-crime approach when Ms. Smith has shown tolerance for someone criminally accused. She said the string of police-related announcements are an attempt to distract from the controversy.

“The contradictions are extremely problematic for the Premier,” said Ms. Williams. “Others in the party might say, ‘Look this is going to be our focus.’ But the problem is their leader has not been tough on certain kinds of crime.”

She said the top issues for Albertans are health care, affordability and provincial leadership. While addressing public safety might be an area where the competing parties differ, Ms. Williams said it is raising more questions about the Premier’s actions than anything else.

“It’s an attempt to change the channel by boasting, ‘This is what we’re doing,’ and trying to suggest the NDP wouldn’t take this issue seriously and I’m just not sure that’s going to stick,” she said.

Ms. Schulz highlighted social-media comments made by six NDP candidates, some of which were critical of police use of force and others that showed support for cutting or redistributing police funds. The minister called on NDP Leader Rachel Notley and the candidates to explain their position on the role of law enforcement.

“We want Rachel Notley to show some support for our police and show these candidates the door,” she said.

Irfan Sabir, NDP justice critic and Calgary-Bhullar-McCall candidate, said in a statement that his party will be releasing a comprehensive public safety strategy as part of its platform, while criticizing Ms. Schulz for refusing to condemn Ms. Smith’s behaviour.

“We believe the biggest threat to public safety right now is a Premier who believes she can interfere in our justice system and wipe away charges for a friend of hers who is charged with inciting violence against police,” he said.