At a Glance - May 16, 2023
Wildfires Continue – Fire Fighters Question Cuts to Aerial Attack Teams & Evacuation Compensation
Alberta declared a state of emergency this week as wildfires continue to burn. While the cooler weather offered a slight respite, allowing several thousand evacuees to return home, conditions are expected to worsen as the weather becomes hotter and drier ahead of the weekend. Temperatures are projected to be fifteen degrees above what is typical for May as Alberta enters a heat dome expected to last Friday to Tuesday.
As the effort to fight the blaze continues, firefighters question budget-cuts that have left the province battling the wildfire short-handed. A former Alberta-based elite firefighter group feel that they “could have been difference-makers” had the UCP not cut the program in 2019.
This week, the provincial government announced that evacuees that have been displaced for seven-days will be eligible for compensation. Eligible adults will receive a one-time payment of $1,250 and an additional $500 will be available for each dependent child under 18. For a family of four, this would amount to $3,500 total. The province also provided clarification that the seven-days need not be consecutive in order to be eligible for compensation.
Controversies of the Week
Danielle Smith has found herself embroiled in several new – and renewed – controversies last week.
A resurfaced video of Danielle Smith captures her comparing 75% of vaccinated Albertans to Nazi Supporters. Smith apologized and attributed her comments to the pandemic, citing that it was a “difficult and frustrating time for everyone.” Her apology was not well received by several groups, notably the Jewish Human Rights group - B’nai Brith Canada - and the Royal Canadian Legion.
Additionally, Smith has come under fire this week for informing UCP supporters at a party event about the Alberta government’s impending announcement of a state of emergency prior to informing the public. Smith’s spokesman has so far declined to address questions over the disclosure.
Safe Streets Campaign Policy, Questions of Government’s Ability to Impose Bail Conditions
In one of their most recent campaign promises, and days after the fatal stabbing of a mother and daughter in the Mill Woods community, the UCP has announced their plan to restore safety to city-streets and public-transit safer if re-elected. At a press conference, Smith and Mike Ellis announced several measures that will be taken in order to accomplish this, including ankle bracelets for dangerous offenders out on bail, an anti-fentanyl and anti gun trafficking teams, and increased funding to address gang-related crime and child exploitation. The UCP also announced this week that they plan to provide more funding for women’s shelters and sexual assault counselling.
Regarding the UCP’s stated intention to impose ankle bracelets to monitor offenders out on bail, several experts have raised their concerns about the legality, and feasibility, of such a promise. Many have raised their concern that due to the separation of powers between the judicial system and the government, the provincial government would have no authority to enforce a promise such as this.
NDP Deny UCP Accusations of Illegal Third-Party Advertising
The UCP addressed a letter written by the executive director of the party on May 2nd to Elections Alberta disclosing their concern that three unions have been involved in third-party advertising to benefit the Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley as well as “colluding” with the NDP to exceed contribution and expense limits while failing to submit proper financial reports. The three unions of concern are the Federation of Labour, Canadian Union of Public Employees and Alberta Teachers Union.
While all unions and the Alberta NDP have released statements dismissing the concerns raised by the UCP as baseless, it will be up to Elections Alberta to ensure there have been no compliance failures and launch an investigation if they see fit.