‘I didn’t create them,’ Smith says of Alberta’s ‘problems’ when asked about unfavourable new poll

The majority of Albertans living in Edmonton and Calgary want a new premier, according to a new Maru Public Opinion poll commissioned by CityNews.

It found only 32 per cent of Edmontonians believe Danielle Smith deserves re-election. In Calgary, that number is 37 per cent, while more than 50 per cent in each city agreed it’s “time for a change.”

The premier seemed unfazed by the numbers Wednesday, while telling CityNews she’s busy working to solve issues facing Albertans.

“When you get elected, you have to make some tough decisions. And what we’re doing is we’re being honest with Albertans about the things we need to do,” Smith said.

“We’re identifying problems and we’re fixing them. It takes a little bit of time to address all of the problems, but look, I didn’t create them. I’m just here to solve them. And so, I’m looking forward to continuing to hear feedback from Albertans.”

Smith polled closer to a 50 per cent split in both cities when people were asked whether or not she is doing a good job.

The survey of 400 Edmontonians and 401 Calgarians was done in late August and early September, before the premier’s Tuesday night announcement of $8.6 billion for new schools.

Tom Vernon, a strategic communications consultant with Crestview Strategy and a former legislature reporter, says Smith might get a popularity bump from that investment.

At the same time, Vernon is not surprised to see low numbers in the cities, especially after Smith spent the summer travelling rural Alberta pitching strongly conservative ideas, trying to build support for her leadership review in November.

“That’s been her audience. I imagine after that, if she gets the mandate she wants to get, we’ll start seeing grander investments and greater attention paid to cities,” Vernon told CityNews.

Conservatives like Smith and her UCP are traditionally more popular in rural Alberta or communities on the outskirts of the big cities, like Leduc. CityNews drove south of Edmonton to gauge how people in that UCP-held riding are feeling about Premier Smith.

“I think she’s good for Alberta. I just like her attitude. She stands up to Trudeau,” said Leduc resident Gordon McGechie.

“I think she’s trying her best. I sure would [vote for Smith again],” said Elaine Wagner.

“I think it was a rush decision, having Danielle Smith as premier, and I hope to see somebody new in the future,” said Phil Hulmes, who said he’s an NDP supporter because education funding is important to his family.

Smith still has about 3 years before a general election.

When CityNews asked what she’s doing to increase support in Calgary and Edmonton, the premier talked about building new schools and improving healthcare.

“I’m focused on making sure that our number one system we rely on, healthcare, is delivering the care to people who need it as well as creating an environment for people to want to work there and we have to make sure we’re addressing issues in education,” Smith said.

CityNews will be releasing more polling results in the coming days as part of a series called CityBeat.

We’ll tell you how mayors Amarjeet Sohi and Jyoti Gondek polled, as well as explore the biggest issues facing people in both Calgary and Edmonton.