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By Regan Tate

Premier calls CBC News story defamatory

Jan 25, 2023 | 3:31 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Premier Danielle Smith is demanding CBC News retract what she says is a defamatory article.

Smith made the statement regarding a CBC story that alleged a staffer in the premier’s office contacted Crown prosecutors regarding their handling of cases related to the Coutts border protest in February 2022. Smith’s statement can be read below.

Shortly after she released the statement, political science instructor Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University, tweeted it “reads like a demand email prior to a defamation lawsuit. Is Smith planning on suing the CBC?”

In a short thread, he also asks “Was ‘requesting an explanation’ simply asking general questions, or pressure about specific cases? Were examples cited? In other words, does this statement actually confirm some of CBC reporting?”

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Lethbridge-West NDP MLA Shannon Phillips called on Smith to refer the matter to an independent investigation, writing “Until then, no one trusts a word the premier says.”

Here is the statement Smith released today regarding emails allegedly sent to Crown prosecutors concerning charges related to the Coutts protest.

“Last week, the CBC published a defamatory article containing baseless allegations that Premier’s Office staff had sent a series of emails to Alberta Crown Prosecutors concerning charges related to the Coutts protest and other pandemic-related matters before the courts. The CBC admitted that it had not seen any of the emails.

“This article was then used and editorialized by the Official Opposition to smear the reputations of the Premier, her office staff, Alberta Crown Prosecutors and the Alberta Public Service.

The premier calls on the CBC to retract its outrageous story and, further, that the CBC and the Official Opposition apologize to the Premier, Premier’s Office staff, Alberta Crown Prosecutors and those in the Alberta Public Service, for the damage caused to their reputations and that of Alberta’s justice system.

The premier publicly campaigned for seven months on exploring ways to grant legal amnesty for individuals charged with non-violent, non-firearms, pandemic-related violations.

After taking office, the Premier and her staff had several discussions with the Minister of Justice and Ministry officials, requesting an explanation of what policy options were available for this purpose. After receiving a detailed legal opinion from the Minister to not proceed with pursuing options for granting amnesty, the Premier followed that legal advice.

All communications between the premier, her staff, the Minister of Justice and Ministry of Justice public servants have been appropriate and made through the proper channels.

The CBC’s allegations and insinuations to the contrary are, once again, baseless.”