Alberta’s first ever Libertarian premier, Danielle Smith, has been sworn in as head of the Alberta government.
In remarks during the ceremony, Smith promised to protect Alberta’s areas of provincial jurisdiction.
Alberta’s 19th premier also invited other provinces to partner with Alberta to make Canada “the most prosperous and free country on earth.”
“Together, we can be the solution to the world’s energy security crisis, provide affordable energy to those in need, and do so while providing the most environmentally responsible energy to our fellow Canadians and our friends and allies around the world,” Smith said at a ceremony in Edmonton on Tuesday.
Smith promised to protect Albertans’ rights and freedoms, saying, “freedom is foundational.” She pledged to govern with inclusivity, equality and acceptance.
Smith was sworn in as premier after outgoing premier Jason Kenney finally resigned.
In May, Kenney announced he would resign once a new leader was elected after barely surviving a leadership review with 51.4% of party members’ support.
He spent the leadership race criticizing Smith and her proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act — legislation which would bar federal bills deemed harmful to Alberta and its interests. It’s unprecedented for an interim premier to comment on a leadership race and attempt to influence the party members’ decisions.
During the ceremony, Alberta Lieutenant-Governor Salma Lakhani gave a general land acknowledgement. She said Kenney resigned and asked Smith to form a government.
Like Kenney, Lakhani waded into the leadership race at one point, saying she would launch an independent review of Smith’s Sovereignty Act before giving the bill royal assent.
As first reported by The Counter Signal, Elections Canada data reveals that Lakhani has donated over $27,000 to the federal Liberals.
Smith’s victory in the UCP leadership contest is the first of many challenges she faces. The new premier still needs a seat in the legislature — she plans to run in Brooks-Medicine Hat, a Conservative safe-seat.
And Smith will face Rachel Notley’s NDP in a spring general election. Notley has been relentless in her attacks on Smith and has begun appealing to conservatives who don’t feel represented by a Danielle Smith government.
“If you are someone who watched the results last night, and today you felt like you don’t have a voice — I want to speak to you directly,” she wrote on Twitter following the leadership results.
She’s also been critical over Smith’s decision to hold a by-election in Brooks-Medicine Hat, where Smith will run, but not in Calgary-Elbow. That seat opened up after Doug Schweitzer resigned.
