Premier takes aim at Ottawa, Opposition during Calgary fundraising dinner

A fundraiser for Alberta’s premier in Calgary Wednesday night saw lots of promises made and lots of people in attendance.

It was certainly an expensive meal for those that were there, at $500 a pop, and with over 1,350 people in attendance, estimated earnings from the event top $675,000.

The big-ticket Conservative event saw massive support as Premier Danielle Smith took shots at her opposition both provincially and federally.

She, of course, took time to address one of her biggest policy oppositions — the carbon tax.

“It is the eco-extremist agendas of people like Steven Guilbeault — ” Smith said as she was interrupted by boos from the crowd. “That happens every time I mention his name…” she continued. “But he is proposing policies that limit economic growth, create energy insecurity, raise prices for consumers, and generally make life harder for literally everyone in Canada.”

As carbon-tax protests continued across the province, Smith spoke against the tax, calling on the federal government to put the brakes on the tax, claiming the majority of Canadians are behind her.

“Canada, Alberta included, does not need more punitive carbon taxes, does not need emissions caps, does not need net-zero power grids — all of these things proposed by Ottawa these ideas simply do not work and they make life more unaffordable and difficult for everyone,” Smith said.

The premier also spoke on some of her more controversial policies, like the plan to limit rights for transgender children in the province.

“We have already implemented many of your recommendations,” Smith said. “Just a few weeks ago, I stood in the crosshairs of Canadian media and the NDP choosing to defend children and protect their future choices to have children of their own, as well as to defend the loving parents to be the primary educators and caregivers of their children.”

In the address, the premier didn’t speak about Naheed Nenshi, the former long-time major of Calgary who is fighting for a shot to lead the Opposition NDP.

Even before he was formally entered into the race, he was considered a favourite to win by many. Edmonton NDP MLA and leadership candidate Rakhi Pancholi even dropped out of the race when it was revealed Nenshi had sold so many party memberships that the size of the party doubled in just over a week and a half.

An Abacus poll from late March shows a Nenshi-led party would still be trailing Danielle Smith and the UCP with her party holding a 15-point lead.

On the other hand, a poll by Leger shows Nenshi as the head of the NDP would boost support for the party by eight per cent, and that 25 per cent of UCP supporters could consider him as a strong option.

The premier told the room full of supporters Wednesday night that Conservatives have lost ground in years past, allowing more left-wing policies to take shape and grow.

“For what seems like decades, for some reason, Conservatives conceded the ground and allowed dangerous left-wing policies take root in our big cities in Calgary and in Edmonton, policies that would eventually poison our streets and lead to more hardships for many,” Smith said. “So, if you were struggling or mental health or you were an addict, there wasn’t a lot of hope going around.”

Despite the next provincial election not being on the calendar until 2027, Smith already has her eyes on the polls — federal ones, that is.

“Hopefully, in the not-so-distant future, we’ll have a federal government that understands how to build this nation, how to support each region, how to respect the constitution and inspire us all to reach our full potential,” she said.

“Until that day comes, we won’t give Ottawa an inch.”

Last night’s Calgary event was a huge success, and another is set to happen in Edmonton on April 16.

Tickets for that dinner start at $350.