Premier Smith asks Alberta NDP to acknowledge error, retract, apologize for spreading misinformation;Opposition not issuing  apology, demands for fully independent investigation

Premier Smith asks Alberta NDP to acknowledge error, retract, apologize for spreading misinformation;  Opposition not issuing  apology, demands for fully independent investigation

Premier Danielle Smith post on Facebook:

Journalism is an integral part of our society and all I’ve ever asked for is fair, accurate and balanced coverage.  After months of the CBC reporting interference between my office and Crown prosecutors, today CBC news removed references to direct contact between my office and prosecutors and “regrets” reporting direct contact by email.

I’ve been vindicated, as has my office.

Now that CBC has expressed regret for its inaccurate reporting and Albertans know the truth, I consider the matter with the CBC closed. Additionally, I’m asking the Alberta NDP to acknowledge their error also, and retract and apologize for spreading this misinformation.

Here is the full CBC story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-premier-office-emails-prosecutors-coutts-1.6719743

Alberta NDP Press Statement

Alberta NDP Justice, Public Safety & Emergency Services Critic Irfan Sabir issued the following statement in response to Danielle Smith’s request for an apology:

“Danielle Smith herself was caught on tape admitting to being in contact with Crown prosecutors and putting pressure on them to drop the charges against Artur Pawlowski, a known extremist who was later convicted of inciting violence against police during the illegal Coutts border blockade.

“On May 17,  the Ethics Commissioner found that Danielle Smith contravened Section 3 of the Conflicts of Interest Act in her interaction with then-Attorney General Tyler Shandro in relation to this matter. The Commissioner deemed Smith a threat to democracy.

“I’m not issuing an apology. I am reissuing my demand over the past several months for a fully independent investigation into all matters of UCP political interference in our justice system.

“We have also written to the RCMP requesting they investigate these serious matters and have received a response stating they will examine what we have put forward, along with all other information, and take appropriate action.

“Trust in our justice system has been eroded and this Premier is to blame. If she has nothing to hide, she will agree to an independent investigation today.”

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