Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says event centre won’t become ‘election issue,’ NDP say otherwise

Alberta premier Danielle Smith speaks at an announcement on plans for an events centre to replace the aging Saddledome, in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, April 25, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh THE CANADIAN PRESS

By Alejandro Melgar, Jillian Code and The Canadian Press

Posted Apr 27, 2023 10:52 am.

Last Updated Apr 27, 2023 10:55 am.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a day after linking $330 million in provincial money to the new Calgary event centre and Rivers District development project, told reporters Wednesday she hopes it doesn’t become an “election issue.”

However, NDP Leader Rachel Notley says Smith doesn’t get to take it back.

Notley said Smith has openly and directly tied the $1.2-billion project to the ballot box and is now obligated to give voters as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision.

That includes allegations of a confidential agreement between the parties that “identify additional financial liabilities by taxpayers” beyond the $800 million announced for the arena, which includes the province, the City of Calgary and the owners of the Calgary Flames hockey team.

“The deal is being kept secret for six weeks, which just too coincidentally, lines up right after the provincial election,” Notley told reporters Wednesday.

“I believe that it is a result of Danielle Smith that the deal is being kept secret. Moreover, it’s Danielle Smith who’s trying to make it into an election issue. So if she wants to have an election conversation about it, Calgarians — Albertans need to see the details.”

She says she and her team were advised on Wednesday.

“When we asked for more detail (and) if we could get a copy of the agreement, we were told no. All parties have agreed that agreement must remain confidential for six to eight weeks,” Notley continued.

“I am calling on Danielle Smith to make those details public.”

The election campaign begins Monday, and the six-to-eight-week deadline takes it past the May 29 polling day.

Watch: Event centre announcement, what do Calgarians think?

Meanwhile, in a statement to CityNews, Smith’s spokesman Colin Aitchison says there is no secret agreement, adding all financial details are on the City of Calgary website.

“Obviously, the allegations made by Ms. Notley in her press statement and news conference are untrue,” Aitchison said.

“What is clear is that despite the Premier’s invitation to Ms. Notley yesterday to join with her in support of this deal, the NDP has decided to oppose it – and worse – to criticize the parties and efforts of those involved.”

Will the event centre be an election issue?

On Tuesday, Smith, wearing a Calgary Flames jersey underneath her jacket, made a plea to Calgarians to vote for the United Conservative Party to ensure the deal goes through.

“After the election, the province’s contribution to this arena deal must be approved by the provincial cabinet and the Treasury Board before the end of summer,” she said.

“That’s why on May 29, I’m hoping Calgarians give our UCP government a clear mandate to proceed with this arena deal.”

However, on Wednesday, Smith told reporters while speaking in a party announcement, “I’m hoping that this doesn’t become an election issue.”

“I would hope that in the spirit of unanimity, we would see the same kind of approach of all the political parties in supporting this deal,” she said.

“I’m really hopeful that the next government — regardless of who it is — is going to honour the deal.”

Mount Royal University economist Duane Bratt says her comments on Tuesday challenge her comments from 10 years ago.

“This is a direct contradiction to what the previous government under Jason Kenney or Rachel Notley’s position was. It’s also a contradiction to Danielle Smith’s own views when it came to the Edmonton rink,” said Mount Royal University economist Duane Bratt.

Watch: Inflated costs & provincial funding: Calgary’s event centre draws criticism

Resurfaced audio of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith from 10 years ago has her saying she was “reluctant” to support arenas.

“I think that you would find that people are reluctant to support a proposal where middle-class taxpayers see a portion of their dollars that would go to support franchises where you do have, let’s face it, millionaire players and billionaire owners,” she said at the time.

Bratt adds the timing indicates she is making it an election issue.

“It’s buying votes,” he said.

“Smith specifically said this still needs to be approved by cabinet. So the UCP has to be reelected, even though the other parties to the agreements that they were negotiating with the Government of Alberta, not the UCP party.”

However, he adds unless this becomes a key election issue, it won’t sway many voters.

“Critics of Smith on Monday are still critics of Smith today,” Bratt said.

NDP support for event centre?

Notley said her party supports hockey and supports revitalizing Calgary but said it would be irresponsible to say yes or no to supporting the arena deal until she first sees details, including the risks and financial exposure to taxpayers.

“We’ve got secrecy, and we’ve got game playing, and it’s disrespectful to Alberta voters,” said Notley.

Smith was also asked why she now supports the project given that years earlier, as Opposition Wildrose leader, she rejected the concept of using public money for such massive private ventures as an NHL arena.