Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it’s time to put personal and political attacks in the “rear-view mirror” and focus on the province’s economy.
Smith’s United Conservative Party emerged bloodied but still standing in Monday’s bitterly contested provincial election, winning a second consecutive majority government for her party, and her first mandate as premier.
She has promised to keep Alberta the lowest tax regime in Canada, and says a UCP government would see the introduction of a law to mandate a binding referendum before any personal or corporate income tax hikes.
There would also be tax changes to benefit those making more than $60,000 a year, at a cost of $1 billion annually to the treasury.
NDP Leader Rachel Notley says she will continue to be leader of the party and official Opposition.
Smith was dogged during the election campaign by past comments, including comparing those who took the COVID-19 vaccine to followers of Adolf Hitler.
A report that came mid-campaign from the ethics commissioner also concluded that Smith undermined the rule of law by pressuring her justice minister to end a criminal court case of a COVID-19 protester.
In her victory speech, Smith had words for those who did not vote for her.
“I want you to know my oath is to serve all Albertans no matter how you voted,” she said.
“And though I didn’t do enough in your judgment to win your support in this election, I will work every day to listen, to improve and to demonstrate to you that I can be trusted to improve on the issues you care so deeply about.”
