Leader of the NDP Rachel Notley, left, and Leader of the United Conservative Party Danielle Smith shake hands before a debate in Edmonton on Thursday May 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.
Alberta’s two political contenders squared off Thursday night in the provincial election campaign’s only debate, as the May 29 vote fast approaches.
The debate came down to the issue of trust.
UCP Leader Danielle Smith says you can’t trust NDP Leader Rachel Notley on the economy, while Notley says you can’t trust Smith not to privatize the health system.
Both candidates have been premier, and both attacked the other’s record.
Smith says that during Notley’s time in government, surgical wait-lists climbed and the bureaucracy grew.
Notley took aim at the release of a report earlier in the day from the province’s ethics commissioner, who said Smith undermined democracy and broke conflict-of-interest rules by intervening in a criminal case.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 19, 2023.
