Former MLA Michaela Frey (Left) hugs Premier Elect Danielle Smith (Right) prior to the announcement

By Aidan Boelsgaard

Premier-designate Danielle Smith announces intent to run in Brooks-Medicine Hat riding

Oct 8, 2022 | 4:57 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Premier-designate and UCP Leader Danielle Smith held a media conference at Jeffries park overlooking the city to announce her intent to run in a by-election in Brooks-Medicine Hat.

Smith has her reasons for wanting to run in a rural riding saying, “I know that our rural ridings didn’t feel like they had the strongest voice at the table during the last years of the COVID pandemic, and I hope this sends a signal not only to the residents of Brooks-Medicine Hat but to the residents of all rural Alberta that their voice will be heard.”

Following her announcement Smith was quick to reassure the people who question her not living in the riding herself saying “I want to make sure that people know that I intend to spend a lot of time down here in the riding.”

“I think people will have seen from when I was leader before as well as the kind of campaign I have run I am prepared to travel a lot, and be in communities a lot” she said. “I know because I have that work ethic people will be able to have full access to me.”

Smith says there are important issues impacting this area including homelessness in Medicine Hat saying an appropriate amount of support is needed including a robust detox program in the area.

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Smith also addressed the need for the full twinning of Highway 3 saying “it’s quite dangerous when you look at the amount of traffic that we have on there with the industrial developments as well as manufactured homes. It’s caused tragedies, and we have to make sure that is corrected.”

Smith was joined at the announcement by former MLA Michaela Frey who officially resigned on Friday. Frey says Smith has her full support and her leadership is needed in an area long considered the forgotten corner.

But former Brooks Mayor and Alberta Party Leader Barry Morishita who will be running against Smith isn’t pleased she chose Brooks-Medicine Hat to run in.

“I’m disappointed that she would choose to run here, it’s hypocritical for her to talk about how MLA’s are going to be in power and she’s gonna come at government a different way. Then the first thing she does is parachute herself into a riding that she knows nothing about.”

The NDP will be represented by candidate Gwendoline Dirk.

Premier-designate Danielle Smith will be officially sworn in this coming Tuesday.