Trussler’s report seemed to be the equivalent of tossing a nuclear bomb into the campaign just hours ahead of the debate. Trussler concluded, “There was an improper attempt to influence the independence of the legal system” by Smith. The report dealt with the phone call Smith had in January with Artur Pawlowski who faced criminal charges (since convicted) in connection with the Coutts border blockade last year. There was a suspicion the debate might fizzle if both leaders saw themselves as the frontrunner and were focused merely on surviving the night.īut expectations were suddenly energized Thursday morning when Alberta’s ethics commissioner, Marguerite Trussler, released a bombshell of a report saying Smith had broken the province’s Conflicts of Interest Act. It was the past 18 days of the election campaign wrapped up in 60 minutes. Smith attacked Notley’s record as premier 2015-19 and said “We can’t afford to go back” to an NDP government. Notley opened by attacking Smith’s past-and-present litany of gaffes, mistakes and controversial statements to conclude, “You know you can’t trust Danielle Smith.” They both knew what they had to say to make themselves look good, and they both knew how the other would try to make them look bad. Oh, the debate got lively at times between two skilled orators, but it was less a boxing match and more a ballet, with both leaders sticking to choreographed moves. Anyone on the fence Thursday night was likely sitting just as uncomfortably Friday morning.ĭebates sometimes provide a breakout movement. New Democrats will claim victory for Notley. UCP supporters will view it as a Smith win. Most Albertans probably saw what they wanted or expected to. The debate between UCP Leader Danielle Smith and NDP Leader Rachel Notley was something of a Rorschach inkblot test: Watch this and tell me what you see.
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