NDP leader Rachel Notley spent most of the week calling on Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to apologize for her past comments on Ukraine. And now that Smith has apologized, Notley says it isn’t enough.
Smith apologized on Tuesday for suggesting Ukraine remain “neutral” to resolve the war following pressure from the Alberta NDP, the federal NDP and the legacy media.
Notley is now moving the goalpost and saying the new premier must outline a plan to fix the damage she allegedly caused.
“Danielle Smith’s comments about Ukraine damaged Alberta’s international standing as a secure, stable energy provider. In the long-term, that means less investment, less jobs and less opportunity in our province,” Notley wrote on Twitter.
“An apology is one thing. Now, we need a plan to fix it.”
The apparent controversy emerged after comments Smith made in April on the social media platform Locals were unearthed.
“I think the only answer for Ukraine is neutrality. There are thriving nations that have managed with neutrality,” Smith said at the time.
Notley spent the week attacking the premier on Twitter with sentiments like “The Alberta NDP is unequivocal in support for Ukraine” and “It really is OK to admit it when you’re wrong. Especially when you’re the Premier.”
In another tweet, Notley accused Smith of showing sympathy to an “international war criminal and an illegal invasion of Ukraine demonstrates horrendous judgment.”
NDP MP Charlie Angus also weighed in, accusing Smith of pushing “pro-Russian, pro-Putin separatist propaganda” in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
Neither Notley nor Angus bothered to explain how calling for Ukrainian neutrality was akin to showing sympathy to Putin or pushing “pro-Russian propaganda”
In a statement on Tuesday, Smith said she previously made some ill-informed comments on the war and said her views have “drastically evolved.”
“Today, I am reaffirming my condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and offering my full apology for past comments.”
Notley’s attacks come as she seeks to position the NDP against Smith’s United Conservative Party ahead of a spring general election. She also asked Smith to apologize for acknowledging the discrimination unvaccinated Canadians have faced over the last two years.
