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Mar 30, 2023 | 10:33
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Danielle Smith discussed COVID charges 'almost weekly' with justice officials according to leaked call
Smith said last month she explained to pastor Artur Pawlowski she could not grant amnesty
Elise von Scheel, Meghan Grant, Jason Markusoff · CBC News · Posted: Mar 29, 2023 11:13 AM CDT | Last Updated: March 29
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith spoke to a pastor just weeks before his criminal trial on pandemic-related charges, promising she would again discuss his case with justice officials, beyond the earlier pleas she had already made on COVID-related prosecutions.
The phone conversation between Smith and Artur Pawlowski, a controversial Calgary street pastor, happened in early January, just weeks before his trial in Lethbridge on Feb. 2.
Pawlowski faces charges of criminal mischief and an offence under Alberta's Critical Infrastructure Defence Act related to last year's Coutts, Alta., border blockade. A judge is set to deliver a verdict in early May.
CBC News has obtained a full copy of the recorded conversation and has verified it.
'Almost weekly' communication with justice officials
The call reveals that her conversations with top Alberta Justice officials about pandemic-related prosecutions were more frequent and specific than she has admitted publicly.
In the recording, Smith divulged she had already been having "almost weekly" communication with justice department officials, but said rules confine her to only questioning two things: the reasonable likelihood the pandemic-related prosecutions would result in convictions and whether proceeding would be in the public interest.
The government had previously said the premier asked for and received briefings from the justice minister to get up to speed on files after taking office.
'Leave this with me'
In the recording, Smith assured Pawlowski she would continue to push his case internally.
"Can you just leave this with me and I will make that request one more time?"
"I'm very sympathetic," she added on the recording. "It was a political decision that initiated this but it can't be a political decision to end it. That's what I'm finding very frustrating."
During the conversation with Pawlowski, Smith says she spoke to the deputy minister of justice and "let him know my dissatisfaction with the tactics" the Crown prosecutors were using to pursue COVID-related charges. Specifically, she mentioned she'd protested the size and timing of prosecutors' document disclosures.
A man in a blue shirt appears to be recording himself in a parking lot.
Artur Pawlowski is awaiting a decision following a trial in February on charges of mischief and an offence under Alberta’s Critical Infrastructure Defence Act. He was charged in connection with the Coutts border blockade last winter. (Artur Pawlowski/Facebook)
The premier has said Justice Minister Tyler Shandro advised her she couldn't grant the amnesty she had previously promised to seek for those prosecuted under pandemic rules, and had no sway over charges or the path of prosecutions.
"It's unfortunate that I didn't understand the limitations," she said in the phone call. "I thought we had the same power of clemency we had in the U.S."
Contact with ministry 'appropriate': Smith
She has said that legal advice came shortly after she became premier, months before the Pawlowski call.
Smith has continuously denied that she or her office engaged in any inappropriate conduct regarding COVID prosecutions.
"As I have previously stated, I had my staff work with the Ministry of Justice, to determine if anything could be done to grant amnesty for those charged with non-violent, non-firearms COVID-related charges," Smith said in Wednesday a tweet that referred to CBC News' reporting.
"As also indicated previously in multiple interviews, I received a legal brief from the Ministry of Justice recommending against pursuing amnesty further as several matters involving this issue were and still are before the courts. I have followed that advice."
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Mar 30, 2023 | 10:38
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Oh shit. The Danny Smith gong show in Alberta continues. She is making Jason Kenney look good. She is in the running with Trudeau for the most unethical politician in the country! She has already won the stupidest contest. LOL
How is she going to deny that she didn't speak with justice officials and prosecutors when she told the pastor otherwise in recorded video audio? In this case she thought it was okay to have a conversation like she did with an accused before his trial?
And she didn't know she couldn't issue a presidential pardon as Premier of Alberta? LOL She's Clueless!
There seems to be a long list of things she doesn't know! LMAO
Last edited by chuckChuck; Mar 30, 2023 at 11:27.
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Mar 30, 2023 | 12:34
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Ralph she ain't. And she is on thin ice. But if I look hard enough I can find articles for the defense.
Why does a Marxist from SK care so much? The body of policies is what I would hope people consider.
For balance, post articles about Notleys husband's job and union contributions to her campaign. Too busy gloating on the great job Jagmeet is doing likely.
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Mar 30, 2023 | 12:49
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Message for the people of Alberta:
Vote for the NDP and your province will suffer the same fate as Saskatchewan . For 5+ decades this province was run the kings of mediocrity the NDP and it put us in the dark ages ! They shut down a lot of schools and hospitals in this province , but you never hear those old die -hards admit to that one.
Danielle smith might not hit them out of the park all the time , but Rachel knothead will literally send your province to the poor house!
Just my opinion.
Here's to spring , it can show up any damn time!
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Mar 30, 2023 | 13:34
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i listened to what was said in phone call on FB , dont think you did that CC only spew somthing you heard on CBC again , she said she would see what she could do within the law so dont think its the crime of the century thats for sure , the pastors and many others shud never have been treated the way they were to start with , thats what needs to be investegated
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Mar 30, 2023 | 13:50
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I have no problem with any politician anywhere of any stripe lobbying to cancel the fake Covid charges. Try harder.
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Mar 30, 2023 | 16:35
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All covid charges against anyone in this entire country should be dropped immediately. Total BS that they are even trying to still prosecute anyone and total BS that they ever did. All money for Covid fines paid by anyone should be returned. She didn’t break any laws. I would support Dannielle Smith if I lived in Alberta.
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Mar 30, 2023 | 21:02
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When the government becomes the largest single employer, you have a large, unionized core of votes. This one will be close. Calgary needs to counter Redmonton.
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Mar 31, 2023 | 06:41
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I heard a story last night about how the boosted vax worked so great. Farmer from north of Regina caught Covid down South, ended up deathly ill in hospital, was put on respirator, flown home, now on oxygen full-time. Now that’s a vax that works, heh Chuck?
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Mar 31, 2023 | 07:47
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Another personal account as evidence of the failure of vaccines? How come some of you guys can't figure out the basics of science which is one individual getting sick after being vaccinated does not prove cause? Give up because you're not capable of understanding even basic science.
And several of the usual suspects have no problem with political interference in the justice system in Alberta by Danny Smith? LOL
Then I guess it was okay for the Prime Minister to pressure the justice minister and justice officials to use the deferred prosecution agreement instead of criminal charges against SNC Lavalin?
Danny Smith thought she could go farther than Trudeau ever did. A Presidential pardon for the accused? Weekly calls to prosecutors and justice officials? These make Trudeau's ethical failings mild in comparison.
And you want every government of every stripe to interfere in the justice system including the ones you didn't vote for or oppose?
I'd like to see a politician run on that platform in Canada.
Again many of your opinions are so far out of the mainstream that they don't even fit into any serious political party including the CPC or any Conservative provincial party including the UCP.
I guess that's why some of you think Putin is okay?
Jason Kenney was right when he feared " the lunatics are taking over the asylum" in Alberta!
Last edited by chuckChuck; Mar 31, 2023 at 07:55.
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Mar 31, 2023 | 07:54
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What’s the leading cause of death in Alberta? Alberta isn’t the only place with this new “unknown” it’s rampant all around the world and the massive majority are figuring it out!
Give up chuckroach nobody believes you!
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Mar 31, 2023 | 07:56
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Wheres your evidence that vaccines are causing excess deaths?
An opinion is not evidence! LOL
There are several articles debunking this antivaxer crap that circulates in the sewer of misinformation and lies that several of you think is the truth. Give up! What a bunch of gullible sheep!
Last edited by chuckChuck; Mar 31, 2023 at 08:06.
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Mar 31, 2023 | 09:32
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Literally nobody cares chuck. Trudeau did the same thing in the SNC case or even worse and skated.
Props to Smith for backing out the pro vaccine crazies in that govt.
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Mar 31, 2023 | 09:38
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 Originally Posted by chuckChuck
Wheres your evidence that vaccines are causing excess deaths?
An opinion is not evidence! LOL
There are several articles debunking this antivaxer crap that circulates in the sewer of misinformation and lies that several of you think is the truth. Give up! What a bunch of gullible sheep!
Listen...
https://twitter.com/Inquiry_Canada
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Apr 1, 2023 | 07:35
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Nobody cares? LOL then why is the NDP in a race with the UCP in Alberta? What you meant to say is you don't care!
https://nationalpost.com/news/local-news/two-months-before-election-ndp-has-momentum-in-tight-race-poll-suggests/wcm/84abc895-1c73-4c84-adc9-15360095d567
Two months before Alberta election, NDP has momentum in tight race, poll suggests
In what's considered to be the decisive battleground of Calgary, the two parties are in a dead heat, but the NDP has made gains
Author of the article:
Bill Kaufmann
Published Mar 31, 2023 • Last updated 16 hours ago • 4 minute read
And everybody with very few exceptions has received all kinds of vaccines since childhood. So most of the covid antivaxers are regular users of the health care system and reliant on vaccines for disease prevention.
Last edited by chuckChuck; Apr 1, 2023 at 07:58.
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Apr 1, 2023 | 08:06
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Originally Posted by chuckChuck
Nobody cares? LOL then why is the NDP in a race with the UCP in Alberta? What you meant to say is you don't care!
https://nationalpost.com/news/local-news/two-months-before-election-ndp-has-momentum-in-tight-race-poll-suggests/wcm/84abc895-1c73-4c84-adc9-15360095d567
Two months before Alberta election, NDP has momentum in tight race, poll suggests
In what's considered to be the decisive battleground of Calgary, the two parties are in a dead heat, but the NDP has made gains
Author of the article:
Bill Kaufmann
Published Mar 31, 2023 • Last updated 16 hours ago • 4 minute read
And everybody with very few exceptions has received all kinds of vaccines since childhood. So most of the covid antivaxers are regular users of the health care system and reliant on vaccines for disease prevention.
We haven’t entered the actual campaign yet, so we will see what happens. There is certainly no doubt there is a wide gulf between how I see the world from my farming perspective and how someone who lives in Edmonton sees the world. There is a large urban rural divide. When I talk to relatives from the city it is like someone has eliminated their common sense. Having said that, in the last 6 months 78% of Canadians have not gotten their Covid booster shot, so the general populace is waking up. As for you Chuck2, attempting reasonable debate has proven a total waste of time.
Last edited by Hamloc; Apr 1, 2023 at 08:09.
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Apr 1, 2023 | 08:08
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Originally Posted by fjlip
Most people who die in car accidents are wearing seat belts.So are we safer to ditch the seat belts.
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Apr 1, 2023 | 08:12
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Hammy when you say there is no common sense in your relatives in the city maybe the problem is they are related to you! LOL
There is range of opinions on any issue whether you live in the city or in a rural area.
The idea that everyone who lives in the city has no common sense is like saying all farmers are hayseeds and country hicks!
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Apr 1, 2023 | 08:54
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Originally Posted by chuckChuck
Hammy when you say there is no common sense in your relatives in the city maybe the problem is they are related to you! LOL
There is range of opinions on any issue whether you live in the city or in a rural area.
The idea that everyone who lives in the city has no common sense is like saying all farmers are hayseeds and country hicks!
And what of the 78% of Canadians that haven’t got the Covid booster shot?
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Apr 1, 2023 | 08:58
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Danielle should discuss Covid charges. They are ridiculous. If Paslaski dressed in drag and hung his genitalia out, he’d be raised to stardom and would be hired for the next NDP rally. But no, he’s a Christian minister, who stood up for his parishioners rites, according to the left wing loons, that’s a crime worthy of public hanging on Edmonton street.
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Apr 3, 2023 | 08:12
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So laws and rules are only for those who agree with them?
Apparently in Alberta with some supporters of the UCP.
Both Kenney and Ford called the many of the antivax protestors yahoos and lunatics.
Danny Smith called antivaxers the most discriminated group in society and quickly backtracked.
Then she talks with justice officials weekly to interfere in the antivaxer cases and then she says she didn't. She keeps forgetting she is the Premier and not just a talk show host!
Way to go Danny you just gave a big boost to the NDP.
Last edited by chuckChuck; Apr 3, 2023 at 11:46.
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Apr 3, 2023 | 08:24
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I admit, I don't understand the political calculus behind Mrs Smith putting so much emphasis on this issue. The base she is pandering to was never ever ever ever ever going to vote for the NDP regardless of what she did, nothing to be gained by this.
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Apr 4, 2023 | 07:57
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Originally Posted by AlbertaFarmer5
I admit, I don't understand the political calculus behind Mrs Smith putting so much emphasis on this issue. The base she is pandering to was never ever ever ever ever going to vote for the NDP regardless of what she did, nothing to be gained by this.
I do agree there is nothing to be gained. The reality is that Jason Kenney lost his Premiership due to those who thought he went to far with Covid restrictions. What put Danielle Smith’s leadership bid over the top were those in the UCP who didn’t agree with these Covid policies and neither did Danielle Smith. For this reason she certainly appears to suffer to some extent from tunnel vision on this issue. As someone who isn’t vaccinated I can sympathize a little but in my world the NDP and Justin Trudeau are without a doubt the greatest detriment to my future success and wish she would focus on issues that resonate with the general public!! Talking to a fringe Pastor like Artur Pawlowski is not going to garner you any votes.
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Apr 4, 2023 | 08:06
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Originally Posted by Hamloc
I do agree there is nothing to be gained. The reality is that Jason Kenney lost his Premiership due to those who thought he went to far with Covid restrictions. What put Danielle Smith’s leadership bid over the top were those in the UCP who didn’t agree with these Covid policies and neither did Danielle Smith. For this reason she certainly appears to suffer to some extent from tunnel vision on this issue. As someone who isn’t vaccinated I can sympathize a little but in my world the NDP and Justin Trudeau are without a doubt the greatest detriment to my future success and wish she would focus on issues that resonate with the general public!! Talking to a fringe Pastor like Artur Pawlowski is not going to garner you any votes.
Exactly. As I have pointed out multiple times in the past, this is the curse of conservative politicians in this country. The policies required to win the leadership amongst the party members, are ppl) ldiametrically opposed to the policies that resonate with the broader electorate to win elections. The membership won't choose a leader with broad appeal, and if the leaders abandon the fringe party members, to attract the mainstream voters, then the party will kick them out at the next leadership review.
Meanwhile, well we squabble about Petty issues and change leaders on a revolving door, Ottawa is happy to divide and conquer unopposed.
Last edited by AlbertaFarmer5; Apr 4, 2023 at 08:10.
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Apr 4, 2023 | 08:27
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"Smith claimed victory, and the office of Alberta's premier, with just 53.8 per cent or about 45,000 ballots. "
Maybe you guys should just admit Smith is nothing more than a floor crossing talk show opportunist.
She has no choice but to cater to the base that give her the 54%.
Another thing take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself do you honestly feel Smith is even premier material?
And please spare the B.S. come back she's better than the NDP, doesn't the UCP party not have anybody better than Smith? No because the UCP is controlled by the social conservatives of Alberta.
You're chasing your tail as usual AB5.
Peace and love to all!
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Apr 4, 2023 | 08:35
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Originally Posted by foragefarmer
"Smith claimed victory, and the office of Alberta's premier, with just 53.8 per cent or about 45,000 ballots. "
Maybe you guys should just admit Smith is nothing more than a floor crossing talk show opportunist.
She has no choice but to cater to the base that give her the 54%.
Another thing take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself do you honestly feel Smith is even premier material?
And please spare the B.S. come back she's better than the NDP, doesn't the UCP party not have anybody better than Smith? No because the UCP is controlled by the social conservatives of Alberta.
You're chasing your tail as usual AB5.
Peace and love to all!
I think we are on the same page here. What do you find controversial about my post? We both agree that the social conservatives choose a leader, while they and their views constitute a very small minority of the rest of the population. With the result that the fiscal conservatives and centrists end up politically homeless on the outside looking in, while the radical left ends up in power far too often.
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Apr 5, 2023 | 07:31
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Originally Posted by foragefarmer
"Smith claimed victory, and the office of Alberta's premier, with just 53.8 per cent or about 45,000 ballots. "
Maybe you guys should just admit Smith is nothing more than a floor crossing talk show opportunist.
She has no choice but to cater to the base that give her the 54%.
Another thing take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself do you honestly feel Smith is even premier material?
And please spare the B.S. come back she's better than the NDP, doesn't the UCP party not have anybody better than Smith? No because the UCP is controlled by the social conservatives of Alberta.
You're chasing your tail as usual AB5.
Peace and love to all!
Many examples of successful floor crossing politicians, Winston Churchill and Ralph Klein come to mind.
If you had listened to Danielle Smith on the radio for 6 years you would see that she is not a social conservative, certainly somewhat of a Libertarian but not a social Conservative.
Is she Premier material? That is a good question. Realistically a successful politician has a thick skin and is a good salesperson and has name recognition. Also must be able to delegate responsibility and pick and manage a good team. Jason Kenney was a great politician but a poor manager. It remains to be seen if Premier Smith ticks all these boxes. One thing is for sure the CBC goes after her or the UCP almost daily!!!
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Apr 6, 2023 | 08:42
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Danielle should learn to tread softly but carry a big stick.
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Apr 6, 2023 | 09:00
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Yes she carries a big "schtick". AKA a comedy routine unintentional, but funny none the less.
Shes still thinks she is a talk show host and can say funny things and anything without evidence.
Last edited by chuckChuck; Apr 6, 2023 at 09:51.
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Apr 6, 2023 | 15:05
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Big ZEL was a comedian, now running a country. A good resume.
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