Danielle Smith is sworn in as Alberta premier on Oct. 11, 2022

By Chris Brown

Danielle Smith officially sworn in as Alberta premier

Oct 11, 2022 | 12:09 PM

In her first remarks as Alberta’s premier, Danielle Smith made it clear freedom will be a top priority for her government.

“Albertans have been through so much over these last two and a half years. Our rights and freedoms have been tested. I will ensure as head of this government that those and freedoms are protected and will never be taken for granted again,” Smith said minutes after being sworn in Tuesday in Edmonton.

“Together we will stand up to defend Albertans’ charter rights as well as defend Alberta’s exclusive rights over our areas of provincial jurisdiction which are enumerated clearly in Canada’s constitution.”

She also promised to challenge the federal carbon tax and to introduce a sovereignty act that would reject federal laws deemed against the province’s interests.

Smith, who plans to announce a revised cabinet on Oct. 21, also invited all Canadians to work with Alberta to build a strong, prosperous and unified federation.

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She said that working with the rest of Canada there can be a solution to the world’s energy crisis and affordable energy can be provided to those in need in an environmentally responsible manner. The new premier said Alberta wants to play an essential and central role in building that future.

Smith, also sworn in as minister of intergovernmental affairs, said the government will ensure vulnerable Albertans and seniors can afford the necessities of life and that necessary supports are available for children, and will address the mental health crisis and assist those living on the streets.

She said they will also forge a new path with Alberta’s Indigenous community based on opportunity and economic reconciliation, and acknowledging the trauma of residential schools.

Smith announced on Saturday that she intends to run in a byelection in the Brooks-Medicine Hat riding following the resignation of MLA Michaela Frey last week. Former Brooks mayor and current Alberta Party Leader Barry Morishita and the NDP’s Gwendoline Dirk have already been nominated by their parties.

No date has been announced for the byelection.

Smith won a leadership race on Thursday to replace Jason Kenney as UCP leader. Kenney announced he was quitting months earlier following an uninspiring 51 per cent vote of support in a party leadership review. After the sixth ballot, Smith earned 54 per cent of the vote.

— with files from The Canadian Press