Premier Danielle Smith says she should have security clearance with the national intelligence service in order to detect foreign interference.--CP FILE PHOTO
zmason@medicinehatnews.com
Premier Danielle Smith says she requires security clearance from the national intelligence service to better monitor foreign interference occurring in the province.
Responding to questions from leader of the Opposition Naheed Nenshi, the premier told the legislature Wednesday that she is in the process of applying for security clearance so she could receive security briefings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
“I am going through the process to be able to get intelligence. I am going through the process to be able to get a higher clearance so that I can get CSIS briefings because I would like to know if there is any foreign interference happening in our province,” she said.
Smith says only the prime minister currently receives briefings from CSIS.
Ahead of October’s referendum, Smith says her government is exploring every avenue to receive intelligence.
“The RCMP does not brief our government,” she said. “I made that clear, and no, I’m not happy with that fact, which is why we have to go to alternative sources to be able to get intelligence.”
Opposition leader Naheed Nenshi said he doesn’t believe the RCMP or CSIS should provide Smith with secret information.
“Given that she accepts gifts from foreign governments, why would they?”
Earlier this week, the premier answered questions in the legislature regarding her October trip to the Middle East, during which it was revealed Smith and several of her staff travelled on a private jet after being invited by Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud.
Smith said the private plane was chartered for her to facilitate visits to a military air base, an oil field and a refinery, an itinerary she says would have taken days by car.
Nenshi described the flights and accommodations “lavish gifts” from a foreign government. Opposition MLAs called Smith’s acceptance of the gifts “inappropriate.”
Cardston-Siksika MLA Joseph Schow said the premier’s actions were pre-cleared with the ethics commissioner, though Smith’s government in 2023 amended legislation to ease restrictions on elected officials receiving gifts.
The October trip was scheduled for Smith to discuss artificial intelligence and energy development with officials in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Smith added that similar considerations are offered to foreign dignitaries visiting Alberta’s oilsands.
“Meanwhile, her caucus was here defending the least popular bill in this government’s history before the budget,” said Nenshi.
Trust, the UCP and Danielle Smith do not being in the same sentence. Worst premier in Alberta’s history. Worst provincial government Alberta ever had.