Freeland says federal government respects Alberta electing Danielle Smith as premier
EDMONTON, AB – Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says the Liberal government respects the choice Albertans have made at the ballot box, as they now face another four years of working with a premier who has been more foe than friend.
Freeland, who comes from the province historically known as the country’s conservative heartland, offered a brief comment hours after United Conservative Party Leader Danielle Smith was declared victorious over the NDP’s Rachel Notley in Monday’s provincial vote.
“The people of Alberta have voted and we recognize that,” Freeland said on her way into the weekly federal cabinet meeting Tuesday.
Smith replaced former Conservative cabinet minister Jason Kenney as premier and party leader last fall amid widespread backlash to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.