SMITH DENIES SHE IS THE SAME WOMAN
Danielle Smith apologizes for 2021 video showing her comparing vaccinated to Nazi followersMultiple groups condemned Smith's comments, including B'nai Brith Canada, the Canadian Anti-Hate Network and the Royal Canadian Legion OUCH
Author of the article: Jason Herring
Postmedia
Published May 08, 2023 •
Published May 08, 2023 •
UCP Leader Danielle Smith.
UCP Leader Danielle Smith apologized Monday after a video surfaced in which she compares Albertans vaccinated against COVID-19 with supporters of Nazi Germany.
Appearing on a November 2021 video podcast from Calgary business Integrated Wealth Management, Smith discusses watching the Netflix documentary How to Become a Tyrant, and draws a parallel between the three-quarters of Albertans who had taken the COVID-19 vaccine and supporters of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich.
“It starts with Hitler in the first episode, and it’s absolutely appalling and shocking how — one academic says, (and) they must have filmed this before COVID — so many people say that they would not have succumbed to the charms of a tyrant, somebody telling them that they have all the answers. And he said, I guarantee you would. And that’s the test here, is we’ve seen it,” Smith said.
“We have 75 per cent of the public who say not only ‘hit me but hit me harder and keep me away from those dirty unvaxxed’.”
Smith adds in the video she chose not to wear a Remembrance Day poppy in protest of pandemic public health measures, saying actions from politicians who impose those measures represent what veterans fought against.
The comments, made by Smith about six months before launching her run for the UCP leadership, began circulating on social media Sunday evening, just more than three weeks from the May 29 Alberta election.
‘No justification’: Smith’s comments condemned
Speaking in Calgary on Monday, NDP Leader Rachel Notley called Smith’s comments “utterly horrifying.”
Notley said the invocation of Nazi Germany in discussing Albertans who rolled up their sleeves for the COVID-19 shot is evidence why Albertans can’t trust Smith’s leadership.
“She’s comparing those Albertans, 75 per cent of them, to the architects of an antisemitic genocide,” Notley said.
“Some comments demonstrate a set of values that no level of apology can ever make up for.”
In a statement, B’nai Brith Canada condemned Smith’s comments.
“There is no justification for politicians to make contemporaneous comparisons to the Nazi regime. Our leaders must do better,” the Jewish human-rights group wrote.
Canadian Anti-Hate Network chair Bernie Farber also took aim at Smith’s comments, saying her claims “minimize and distort the Holocaust.”
The Royal Canadian Legion condemned Smith’s comments, stating that “the poppy is a symbol of remembrance of those who have served Canada and made the supreme sacrifice in the name of democracy,” adding that it has no role in politics.
In a statement Monday afternoon, Smith acknowledged she opposed vaccine mandates during the pandemic, and called it a “divisive and painful period” for many, including herself
“However, the horrors of the Holocaust are without precedent, and no one should make any modern-day comparisons that minimize the experience of the Holocaust and suffering under Hitler, nor the sacrifice of our veterans,” Smith said, going on to call herself a friend to the Jewish community.
“I apologize for any offensive language used regarding this issue made while on talk radio or podcasts during my previous career.
“I would hope we can all move on to talk about issues that currently matter to Albertans and their families.”
When asked about the 2021 comments during a news conference Monday afternoon, Smith directed reporters back to her statement.
UCP candidate previously disqualified over similar social media posts
This isn’t the first time a UCP figure has come under fire for linking the COVID-19 pandemic with Hitler’s Germany.
Last fall, the UCP’s board disqualified Nadine Wellwood as the party’s candidate in Livingstone-Macleod, with Wellwood saying she was removed over party concerns about her social media posts. Those posts included comparing vaccine passports to policies enacted under the Nazi regime.
Notley said Smith’s comments should be similarly disqualifying, but that voters will decide that on election day.
“Albertans are in a period right now where they get a choice, and my call to Albertans is that they should choose to tell Danielle Smith she does not deserve to be premier,” Notley said.
CONSPIRACY THEORY PROMOTER
‘I find it distasteful when billionaires brag about how much control they have over political leaders’
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at the United Conservative Party AGM in Edmonton, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Alberta’s new cabinet will be sworn in today at a ceremony at Government House in Edmonton.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken
THIS REPORT IS ONLY SEVEN MONTHS OLD
AND SHE WAS PREMIER FOR ONE WEEK
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Oct. 25, 2022
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she is cancelling a health consulting agreement involving the World Economic Forum — an agency at the centre of global domination conspiracy theories — because she won’t work with a group that talks about controlling governments.
“I find it distasteful when billionaires brag about how much control they have over political leaders,” Smith said at a news conference Monday after her new cabinet was sworn in.
“That is offensive … the people who should be directing government are the people who vote for them.
“Quite frankly, until that organization stops bragging about how much control they have over political leaders, I have no interest in being involved with them.”
The United Conservative Party premier said she is in lockstep with federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has stated he and his caucus will having nothing to do with the World Economic Forum.
The deal with Alberta Health Services sees the province share ideas with health researchers at Harvard University and the Mayo Clinic under the forum’s umbrella.
The high-profile conference of global political and business leaders has been the focus of conspiracy theories from both sides of the political spectrum.
A decade ago, it was accused by the left-wing of conspiring to cut pensions and slash environmental programs.
It became the focus of attacks from the right during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the it promoted a “great reset,” calling for ideas on how to better organize global society post pandemic.
That started online conspiracy accusations, unproven and debunked, that the forum is fronting a global cabal of string-pullers exploiting the pandemic to dismantle capitalism and introduce damaging socialist systems and social control measures, such as forcing people to take vaccines with tracking chips.
Smith, on a livestream interview Friday, announced the deal was ending but didn’t say why. At a news conference Saturday, she declined to respond to two questions on the forum.
The premier was asked by a reporter Monday if she has concerns about the forum “because you accept the online conspiracy theory that WEF is a front for a global cabal of world leaders bent on using the pandemic to destroy capitalism and install a socialist dysfunctional dystopia.”
Smith declined to answer.
“I think it makes sense to make health decisions based on health experts,” she said.
“The group (WEF) … and the person at the helm of it (Klaus Schwab) — I don’t think he’s a medical doctor. I don’t think he’s a nurse, and I don’t think he’s a paramedic and I don’t think he’s a health professional.
“I am going to be taking advice from our front-line nurses, doctors, paramedics and health professionals to fix the local problems that we have.”
NDP health critic Shannon Phillips said in a statement said Danielle Smith’s “bizarre fixation” on the World Economic Forum does nothing to repair health care, create jobs or lower the cost of living for Alberta families.
“It is troubling for Albertans that Smith is more interested in dangerous conspiracy theories than helping families and businesses,” Phillips said.
Political scientist Lori Williams at Calgary’s Mount Royal University questioned why Smith would end “an agreement that has the potential to provide life-saving, health-improving information that could be of benefit for Albertans simply because you’re suspicious about one of the organizations involved?”
“That’s expertise she ought to respect, certainly critically assess to take advantage of, rather than cutting it off because of some vague suspicions about someone trying to control governments.”
Smith, a former journalist and radio talk show host, has espoused contrarian theories on alternative and mainstream media platforms dating back to 2003, when she questioned in a newspaper column whether smoking is indeed bad for your health.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith pushed for later-debunked treatments such as the livestock dewormer ivermectin.
In July, she told a livestream audience she believes it’s within a person’s control to avoid getting early-stage cancer.
Earlier this month, on her first day as premier, she was criticized for saying those not vaccinated against are the most discriminated group she has seen in her lifetime.
Last week, she apologized for remarks made earlier this year that Ukraine accept neutrality in its war with Russia.
—Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press
RELATED: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith apologizes for past comments about invasion of Ukraine
RELATED: “Most discriminated-against group’: Alberta premier pledges to protect unvaccinated
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she is cancelling a health consulting agreement involving the World Economic Forum — an agency at the centre of global domination conspiracy theories — because she won’t work with a group that talks about controlling governments.
“I find it distasteful when billionaires brag about how much control they have over political leaders,” Smith said at a news conference Monday after her new cabinet was sworn in.
“That is offensive … the people who should be directing government are the people who vote for them.
“Quite frankly, until that organization stops bragging about how much control they have over political leaders, I have no interest in being involved with them.”
The United Conservative Party premier said she is in lockstep with federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has stated he and his caucus will having nothing to do with the World Economic Forum.
The deal with Alberta Health Services sees the province share ideas with health researchers at Harvard University and the Mayo Clinic under the forum’s umbrella.
The high-profile conference of global political and business leaders has been the focus of conspiracy theories from both sides of the political spectrum.
A decade ago, it was accused by the left-wing of conspiring to cut pensions and slash environmental programs.
It became the focus of attacks from the right during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the it promoted a “great reset,” calling for ideas on how to better organize global society post pandemic.
That started online conspiracy accusations, unproven and debunked, that the forum is fronting a global cabal of string-pullers exploiting the pandemic to dismantle capitalism and introduce damaging socialist systems and social control measures, such as forcing people to take vaccines with tracking chips.
Smith, on a livestream interview Friday, announced the deal was ending but didn’t say why. At a news conference Saturday, she declined to respond to two questions on the forum.
The premier was asked by a reporter Monday if she has concerns about the forum “because you accept the online conspiracy theory that WEF is a front for a global cabal of world leaders bent on using the pandemic to destroy capitalism and install a socialist dysfunctional dystopia.”
Smith declined to answer.
“I think it makes sense to make health decisions based on health experts,” she said.
“The group (WEF) … and the person at the helm of it (Klaus Schwab) — I don’t think he’s a medical doctor. I don’t think he’s a nurse, and I don’t think he’s a paramedic and I don’t think he’s a health professional.
“I am going to be taking advice from our front-line nurses, doctors, paramedics and health professionals to fix the local problems that we have.”
NDP health critic Shannon Phillips said in a statement said Danielle Smith’s “bizarre fixation” on the World Economic Forum does nothing to repair health care, create jobs or lower the cost of living for Alberta families.
“It is troubling for Albertans that Smith is more interested in dangerous conspiracy theories than helping families and businesses,” Phillips said.
Political scientist Lori Williams at Calgary’s Mount Royal University questioned why Smith would end “an agreement that has the potential to provide life-saving, health-improving information that could be of benefit for Albertans simply because you’re suspicious about one of the organizations involved?”
“That’s expertise she ought to respect, certainly critically assess to take advantage of, rather than cutting it off because of some vague suspicions about someone trying to control governments.”
Smith, a former journalist and radio talk show host, has espoused contrarian theories on alternative and mainstream media platforms dating back to 2003, when she questioned in a newspaper column whether smoking is indeed bad for your health.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith pushed for later-debunked treatments such as the livestock dewormer ivermectin.
In July, she told a livestream audience she believes it’s within a person’s control to avoid getting early-stage cancer.
Earlier this month, on her first day as premier, she was criticized for saying those not vaccinated against are the most discriminated group she has seen in her lifetime.
Last week, she apologized for remarks made earlier this year that Ukraine accept neutrality in its war with Russia.
—Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press
RELATED: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith apologizes for past comments about invasion of Ukraine
RELATED: “Most discriminated-against group’: Alberta premier pledges to protect unvaccinated
2015 WAS PROVINCIAL ELECTION THE NDP WON
THANKS TO SMITH'S BETRAYL OF WILDROSE PARTY
UCP'S PREDECESOR
Not so long ago, Smith vilified the Progressive Conservative Party, branding it as tired, washed up, and spiralling out of control. Alberta faced certain disaster if Progressive Conservatives continued their uninterrupted reign. Smith was fervent. Committed. She would burn down the village to save it.
Some may be surprised by Smith's supposed U-turn and decision to abandon her principled and trusted position as leader of the Opposition to join the PC government.
By Brooks DeCillia, Contributor
LSE PhD Candidate, Longtime Journalist
The day after Alison Redford's Progressive Conservatives pulled off a somewhat surprising election victory in April 2012, I interviewed the other woman who came close to being Alberta's first elected female premier. It's important to point out that in the wake of this week's supernova implosion of the Wildrose Party, Danielle Smith and her upstart gang of like-minded conservative insurgents nearly ended the PC dynasty.
After what can only be described as a crushing electoral defeat, Smith remained thoughtful during my interview with her, providing some solid insight into the most unconventionally compelling Alberta election in decades.
With the camera off, I said my thanks and congratulated Smith for winning her Highwood seat in the Alberta legislature. I debated whether to thank Smith for running an exciting campaign (not wanting to seem overly enthusiastic or partisan). In the end, I did tell her she should be proud of raising the level of political debate in staid Alberta. Smith was typically gracious and seemed genuinely grateful to hear the compliment.
Without a doubt, Smith impressed me during that election as someone with a sense of ideological purpose. She struck me as logical and principled, albeit somewhat needlessly strident, when she defended the free speech of those who doubted the science of climate change and another who hatefully suggested gays would burn in a "lake of fire."
Nevertheless, I remember thinking the "self-styled disciple of Britain's Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher" knows who she is, what she believes -- and is comfortable in her own skin. In the years after the election, Smith held true to her ideological political compass -- and fought her corner well.
Not so long ago, Smith vilified the Alberta PC party, branding it as tired, washed up, and spiralling out of control. Alberta faced certain disaster if the Tories continued their uninterrupted reign. Smith was fervent. Committed. She would burn down the village to save it.
Fast forward to Smith and her new boss, Jim Prentice, walking down the stairs at Government House this week to announce their "unification."
Prentice, of course, shrewdly outflanked Smith and her party in recent months by adopting many popular Wildrose ideals such as balancing the budget, reviewing controversial property rights laws and health care choice.
So now, Smith lauds what she denounced so vehemently. Her massive flip flop, wrote one commentator, "tests the gag reflex." Many of her supporters feel betrayed and want heads to roll, while others in the media have denounced her move as more "naked ambition" from yet another sketchy politician.
I am not surprised by Smith's political expedience. The savvy politician threw her trusted political mentor -- and supposed friend -- Tom Flanagan under the bus when comments he made about child pornography sparked a media firestorm in 2013.
Flanagan, a longtime professor and former principal aide to Prime Stephen Harper, worked tirelessly -- put his "life on hold for two years" -- to help turn Smith and the Wildrose Party into a competitive force in 2012. Smith outsourced disavowing Flanagan to political staffers. She didn't even pick up the phone to ask her former teacher for his side of the story. But did she abandon her ideology?
Polticial scientists and other academics debate -- continuously -- about ideology and its usefulness for understanding politics. Daniel Bell famously dismissed ideology in his influential book "The End of Ideology" in 1960.
There's no doubt grand debates about ideology do not command the public's attention the way they did in the 1930s, for instance. Along with the decline of big ideas, we've witnessed the rise of the celebrity politician who is increasingly judged not what he or she thinks -- but by their likability. As well, political parties have all also grouped around the centre of the political spectrum, making ideological and policy differences less transparent.
Most important, though, ideology is often presented as something other than ideology. Ideas are stripped of their ideological tone. Neoliberalism, in particular, is frequently presented as natural or common sense. Economic principles are often equated to natural laws akin to gravity. Government services, according to this logic, must be efficient and cost-effective because that's the way the world works.
Smith claims she agreed to the hostile takeover of the Wildrose Party because she and Prentice share "aligned values and principles" -- and (this is where ideology becomes important) she wants to unite the right for the tough economic times to come.
Even Preston Manning -- the doyen of western Canadian conservatism -- blessed the defections by nine Wildrose MLAs.
Political stripes are beside the point, argues Manning. It is time to pull together. Read: opposing the impending big cuts to public spending because of dropping oil prices is not acceptable. Good conservatives must unite to persuade the public to lower their expectations. Prentice and his ideological soulmate Smith -- who will no doubt be propelled to cabinet in the days head -- will soon herald the common sense of linking spending on education and health to oil and gas revenues.
Some may be surprised by Smith's supposed U-turn and decision to abandon her principled and trusted position as leader of the Opposition. Can you imagine Margaret -- "The Lady's Not For Turning" -- Thatcher joining forces with her arch political enemies? Smith's political idol was stubbornly ideological. And so is Smith it turns out.
She's just not all that attached to a particular political party or brand. Baroness Thatcher also spoiled to debate her detractors in hopes of convincing voters of her political philosophy or ideology. The question now is if Smith is as skilled as her political hero at convincing Albertans of her world view.
LSE PhD Candidate, Longtime Journalist
HUFFPOST
Dec 19, 2014 Updated Feb 18, 2015
Dec 19, 2014 Updated Feb 18, 2015
The day after Alison Redford's Progressive Conservatives pulled off a somewhat surprising election victory in April 2012, I interviewed the other woman who came close to being Alberta's first elected female premier. It's important to point out that in the wake of this week's supernova implosion of the Wildrose Party, Danielle Smith and her upstart gang of like-minded conservative insurgents nearly ended the PC dynasty.
After what can only be described as a crushing electoral defeat, Smith remained thoughtful during my interview with her, providing some solid insight into the most unconventionally compelling Alberta election in decades.
With the camera off, I said my thanks and congratulated Smith for winning her Highwood seat in the Alberta legislature. I debated whether to thank Smith for running an exciting campaign (not wanting to seem overly enthusiastic or partisan). In the end, I did tell her she should be proud of raising the level of political debate in staid Alberta. Smith was typically gracious and seemed genuinely grateful to hear the compliment.
Without a doubt, Smith impressed me during that election as someone with a sense of ideological purpose. She struck me as logical and principled, albeit somewhat needlessly strident, when she defended the free speech of those who doubted the science of climate change and another who hatefully suggested gays would burn in a "lake of fire."
Nevertheless, I remember thinking the "self-styled disciple of Britain's Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher" knows who she is, what she believes -- and is comfortable in her own skin. In the years after the election, Smith held true to her ideological political compass -- and fought her corner well.
Not so long ago, Smith vilified the Alberta PC party, branding it as tired, washed up, and spiralling out of control. Alberta faced certain disaster if the Tories continued their uninterrupted reign. Smith was fervent. Committed. She would burn down the village to save it.
Fast forward to Smith and her new boss, Jim Prentice, walking down the stairs at Government House this week to announce their "unification."
Prentice, of course, shrewdly outflanked Smith and her party in recent months by adopting many popular Wildrose ideals such as balancing the budget, reviewing controversial property rights laws and health care choice.
So now, Smith lauds what she denounced so vehemently. Her massive flip flop, wrote one commentator, "tests the gag reflex." Many of her supporters feel betrayed and want heads to roll, while others in the media have denounced her move as more "naked ambition" from yet another sketchy politician.
I am not surprised by Smith's political expedience. The savvy politician threw her trusted political mentor -- and supposed friend -- Tom Flanagan under the bus when comments he made about child pornography sparked a media firestorm in 2013.
Flanagan, a longtime professor and former principal aide to Prime Stephen Harper, worked tirelessly -- put his "life on hold for two years" -- to help turn Smith and the Wildrose Party into a competitive force in 2012. Smith outsourced disavowing Flanagan to political staffers. She didn't even pick up the phone to ask her former teacher for his side of the story. But did she abandon her ideology?
Polticial scientists and other academics debate -- continuously -- about ideology and its usefulness for understanding politics. Daniel Bell famously dismissed ideology in his influential book "The End of Ideology" in 1960.
There's no doubt grand debates about ideology do not command the public's attention the way they did in the 1930s, for instance. Along with the decline of big ideas, we've witnessed the rise of the celebrity politician who is increasingly judged not what he or she thinks -- but by their likability. As well, political parties have all also grouped around the centre of the political spectrum, making ideological and policy differences less transparent.
Most important, though, ideology is often presented as something other than ideology. Ideas are stripped of their ideological tone. Neoliberalism, in particular, is frequently presented as natural or common sense. Economic principles are often equated to natural laws akin to gravity. Government services, according to this logic, must be efficient and cost-effective because that's the way the world works.
Smith claims she agreed to the hostile takeover of the Wildrose Party because she and Prentice share "aligned values and principles" -- and (this is where ideology becomes important) she wants to unite the right for the tough economic times to come.
Even Preston Manning -- the doyen of western Canadian conservatism -- blessed the defections by nine Wildrose MLAs.
Political stripes are beside the point, argues Manning. It is time to pull together. Read: opposing the impending big cuts to public spending because of dropping oil prices is not acceptable. Good conservatives must unite to persuade the public to lower their expectations. Prentice and his ideological soulmate Smith -- who will no doubt be propelled to cabinet in the days head -- will soon herald the common sense of linking spending on education and health to oil and gas revenues.
Some may be surprised by Smith's supposed U-turn and decision to abandon her principled and trusted position as leader of the Opposition. Can you imagine Margaret -- "The Lady's Not For Turning" -- Thatcher joining forces with her arch political enemies? Smith's political idol was stubbornly ideological. And so is Smith it turns out.
She's just not all that attached to a particular political party or brand. Baroness Thatcher also spoiled to debate her detractors in hopes of convincing voters of her political philosophy or ideology. The question now is if Smith is as skilled as her political hero at convincing Albertans of her world view.
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