Alberta UCP Leader Danielle Smith declines comment on protester conviction in Coutts protest

Alberta United Conservative Party leader Danielle Smith says she won’t comment on controversial Calgary street pastor Artur Pawlowski being convicted for his actions at the COVID-19 border protest in Coutts.

Speaking on a province-wide Corus radio talk show in the lead-up to the May 29 election, Smith said it was because the case is continuing through the legal system.

She added she does not publicly discuss specific court cases.

“I like to explore ideas, like to talk to people about a wide range of issues when you’re in government, it’s different,” she said.

“In government, you have to make sure that you’re talking with your colleagues and that you’re looking at your agreements with the federal government.”

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• Calgary pastor Artur Pawlowski guilty in Coutts border protest

As premier, Smith has faced questions about a phone call with Pawlowski before his trial earlier this year.

She is currently under an investigation by Alberta’s ethics commissioner.

In that conversation, which was leaked to reporters by the NDP, Smith is heard commiserating with Pawlowski, agreeing with his concerns over Crown trial tactics and offering to help make inquiries on his behalf.

The Alberta NDP has called for a full investigation into Smith’s involvement with COVID-19 court cases, saying the phone call represents a clear case of the premier politicizing the justice system.

Pawlowski has criticized Smith for not following through on her promise to pardon COVID-19 protesters and says he will have more to say next week on his phone call with Smith.

Meanwhile, NDP leader Rachel Notley laughed when asked about Smith’s comments on day three of the election campaign.

“I’m sorry, she has a policy of not speaking publicly on matters before the courts, except when she’s talking to the person who’s before the courts about how she’s going to interfere with the matter before the courts? That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard from her,” she said. “Maybe it’s not the most ridiculous because there’s a lot of ridiculous.”

The election is set for May 29, and at the moment, the UCP holds a very narrow lead over the NDP, according to an IPSOS poll.