Tweets, calls, comments: Alberta NDP, UCP call for action ahead of election

Alberta’s election campaign doesn’t officially begin until May 1, but that’s not slowing the political parties down.

In a news conference Wednesday, the United Conservative Party (UCP) called out a number of NDP candidates for old tweets and comments about police.

“The NDP has absolutely no plan whatsoever to address crime and disorder in communities across Alberta. But worse, the NDP candidates’ comments suggest resentment towards law enforcement and our justice system,” said UCP Calgary-Shaw MLA and candidate, Rebecca Schulz.

UCP candidate Rebecca Schulz is calling for Rachel Notley to kick out five NDP candidates it claims are "seeking to sow anger and division against law enforcement" based on past comments or voting record.

Adds NDP has no plan to attack crime.
#yeg #yyc #ableg pic.twitter.com/hZcFn9W2cY

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) April 5, 2023

“Today, we are calling on NDP Leader Rachel Notley to have each of these candidates explain their comments and why they’re so out of touch with Alberta families,” Schulz continued.

“We want Rachel Notley to show some support for our police and show these candidates the door. If she lets this go, she’s essentially saying she embraces these views.”

The NDP didn’t respond to those old tweets but did issue a statement saying the party would “release a comprehensive strategy to support safety in our communities as part of our platform.”

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Meanwhile, at another news conference Wednesday, the NDP made calls of its own.

Justice critic Irfan Sabir pressed members of the UCP to denounce the conversation between Premier Danielle Smith and controversial Calgary pastor Artur Pawlowski.

“Danielle Smith owes Albertans an explanation for why this extreme individual facing two criminal charges got a single second of her time. She owes an even greater explanation for why she would attempt to interfere in our justice system,” he said.

"Rebecca Schulz’s refusal to denounce Smith’s behaviour today means the UCP sees no problem with Smith trying to stop the prosecution of people accused of encouraging violence against police."

–@MLAIrfanSabir #ableg #abpoli #yyc #yeg

— Joe Ceci (@joececiyyc) April 5, 2023

However, Schultz says Smith “has already spoken to that.”

“She’s provided context, she has explained her situation to Albertans, and I don’t have any other additional comments to make,” she added.