UCP slams NDP for anti-police comments as parties exchange jabs ahead of election campaigning
Posted April 5, 2023 4:13 pm.
The United Conservatives are going on the offensive Wednesday, sharing comments from NDP candidates, which they claim are anti-police.
“Calgary Bow candidate Druh Farrell called Alberta police officers domestic abusers saying and I quote ‘I can’t help but wonder about domestic abuse in law and enforcement families’,” said Rebecca Schulz, UPC candidate and Municipal Affairs Minister.
UCP candidate Rebecca Schulz is calling for Rachel Notley to kick out five NDP candidates it claims are "seeking to sow anger and division against law enforcement" based on past comments or voting record.
Adds NDP has no plan to attack crime.
#yeg #yyc #ableg pic.twitter.com/hZcFn9W2cY— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) April 5, 2023
It comes as the NDP released a video from controversial street pastor Artur Pawlowski delivering a fiery speech at Coutts. The NDP is aiming to keep his phone call with Premier Smith in the spotlight.
“Even though we’re a ways away from the election, this is just adding to a litany of questions,” said Lori Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University.
While parties hope these allegations will be a knockout punch, political experts believe the string of salacious headlines could ultimately drown out policy pitches on the campaign trail.
“It’s difficult for anyone else to get attention on their visions of the future and accomplishing that vision,” said Williams.
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Some question if voters have become numb to political controversies. With the likes of U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, surviving a series of scandals.
But polls suggest that they still resonate on this side of the border.
“I think we’re seeing something here that we don’t see as much in the United States, and that is that polls have indicated that amongst voters asked what you think the election issues are. Number three is leadership and judgment.”
Political controversies are not new for Danielle Smith – the then Wildrose leader seemed a good bet to be elected Premier in 2012 before the so-called lake of fire incident in the campaign’s waning days.
“Ultimately, it didn’t look like the Wildrose Party was a safe alternative, the Progressive Conservatives looked less scary,” said Williams.
Affordability and health care remain the two dominant issues for Alberta voters ahead of ballot day. But with some polls showing as many as 25 per cent of voters are still on the fence. These political revelations could tilt the balance of power.
“That sort of triple of questions around judgment, questions about competence, questions about integrity can you trust this person? For some of those moderate voters, they don’t see an obvious choice that reflects their values.”
Albertans will be heading to the polls on May 29.
