Premier Danielle Smith spoke to CHAT News in Calgary for a year-end interview. (CHAT News)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Danielle Smith says she remains ‘very connected’ to Brooks-Medicine Hat despite demanding premier job

Jan 2, 2024 | 10:18 AM

Danielle Smith is the MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat, but she also happens to be the premier of Alberta.

Smith acknowledged in a year-end interview with CHAT News that she spends a significant amount of her time away from the riding in her larger, provincial role.

“People knew this when they voted for a leader of a party that, first of all, the job is in Edmonton because we’re there in the legislature pretty intensely for about five of the year,” she told anchor Dan Reynish.

“Secondly, I also have obligations in the rest of the province,” Smith added.

But the second-time MLA said she remains rooted in Brooks-Medicine Hat.

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“I come down for a couple of days every month and make sure that I’m doing high-value events and lots of meetings [and] lots of tours, so that I know what the issues are in the riding,” Smith said.

“I talk with the constituency assistants each week so that they can keep me up to date on the issues that are coming into the office, and so I feel very connected to the community,” she added.

“I’m always happy to find opportunities to be in the riding.”