Alberta Premier Smith slams teachers’ association for dropping Paul Brandt from Edmonton convention

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is blasting the teachers’ association after country singer Paul Brandt was dropped from a convention in Edmonton.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) held the North Central Teachers’ Convention from Feb. 5-6, which had several speakers, all listed on the website, but no mention of Brandt.

Smith, however, said in a post on Monday that she is “immensely disappointed” with the ATA, encouraging Albertans to look into the work that Brandt does to raise awareness for sex trafficking.

“Not only is Paul Brandt one of Canada’s greatest musicians, but his organization ‘Not in My City’ has been leading the fight against sex trafficking for years— especially when it comes to endangering our children,” she wrote.

“Standing up for the victims of sex trafficking is most certainly a non-partisan cause.”

Brandt’s been in the headlines lately after posting lyrics from his song “Alberta Bound,” highlighting the line ” independence in my veins,” which some read as a nod to Alberta separatism.

The post gained a lot of attention online, and Brandt refused to comment on his views.

The ATA confirms that the country star was originally scheduled to speak, but it did not say why he was removed, only that he was not included in the final schedule.

“Paul Brandt was not a part of the North Central Teachers Convention programming this year. He was originally scheduled to speak, but was not included in the final schedule,” its statement reads.

Whether or not it was because of his recent post, the talk of separatism is not going anywhere anytime soon.

A recent Angus Reid poll says 1-in-10 Albertans are sold on casting an independence vote, another 21 per cent are considering it, and 57 per cent want to stay a part of Canada.