Former British Columbia Premier Christy Clark had scornful words for Alberta’s UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith's proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act — calling the move “batshit crazy.”.She also endorsed Jean Charest for federal Conservative leadership, saying he would be “a fantastic prime minister.”.Clark’s comments came during a question period following her guest keynote spot at a Thursday event in Edmonton..The event was hosted by Centre Ice Conservatives (CIC), a recently-launched group whose goal is to establish a “voice for pragmatic, mainstream Canadians who want to engage in frank policy discussions on key issues facing our country outside of the noise and heat of partisan politics,” as described by CIC co-founder and director Rick Peterson..Calling the group’s members “swing voters,” Peterson says it is comprised of mostly centre-right voters fed up with “woke voices on the edges of the left” as well as “populist voices on the fringes of the right.”.He says “loud and fringe voices” dominate party politics, thus creating tribal divisions over issues “long-settled” for most Canadians..“There is power in the centre. Every Canadian knows that, especially when it comes to hockey. A winning team needs strength up the middle, at centre ice,” says Peterson..Upon taking the stage Clark praised the newly formed initiative for “trying to preserve” the aforementioned centre that Peterson speaks of..“We are not a very united country. I can’t remember a time in my lifetime when Canada has felt less united than it does now,” said the former BC premier, adding that she sees "our leaders moving to the fringes.”.Highlighting the importance of bridging political divides was the theme of Clark’s roughly 20-minute speech, and she specifically noted COVID-19 vaccination..While Clark said she’s “with the prime minister” when it comes to vaccination — calling it a civic duty helping protect her “dentist and people at the grocery store” — she also said the prime minister’s words regarding unvaccinated Canadians have been divisive..When asked if she had interest in running for leadership of the federal Conservative party Clark said no, but reiterated she’ll be voting for Charest, which sparked applause in the room..For the final question the former BC premier was asked about Smith's proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act..“Some of the UCP candidates in Alberta want to start their campaign, their government, with a sovereignty referendum, or something like that. I think that is batshit crazy,” said Clark..On Saturday, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney echoed Clark's sneering sentiment, saying Smith's proposed act is making the province a "laughing stock" in the rest of Canada, a comment that's been met with both support and vicious criticism..READ MORE: Kenney attacks Smith's proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act
Former British Columbia Premier Christy Clark had scornful words for Alberta’s UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith's proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act — calling the move “batshit crazy.”.She also endorsed Jean Charest for federal Conservative leadership, saying he would be “a fantastic prime minister.”.Clark’s comments came during a question period following her guest keynote spot at a Thursday event in Edmonton..The event was hosted by Centre Ice Conservatives (CIC), a recently-launched group whose goal is to establish a “voice for pragmatic, mainstream Canadians who want to engage in frank policy discussions on key issues facing our country outside of the noise and heat of partisan politics,” as described by CIC co-founder and director Rick Peterson..Calling the group’s members “swing voters,” Peterson says it is comprised of mostly centre-right voters fed up with “woke voices on the edges of the left” as well as “populist voices on the fringes of the right.”.He says “loud and fringe voices” dominate party politics, thus creating tribal divisions over issues “long-settled” for most Canadians..“There is power in the centre. Every Canadian knows that, especially when it comes to hockey. A winning team needs strength up the middle, at centre ice,” says Peterson..Upon taking the stage Clark praised the newly formed initiative for “trying to preserve” the aforementioned centre that Peterson speaks of..“We are not a very united country. I can’t remember a time in my lifetime when Canada has felt less united than it does now,” said the former BC premier, adding that she sees "our leaders moving to the fringes.”.Highlighting the importance of bridging political divides was the theme of Clark’s roughly 20-minute speech, and she specifically noted COVID-19 vaccination..While Clark said she’s “with the prime minister” when it comes to vaccination — calling it a civic duty helping protect her “dentist and people at the grocery store” — she also said the prime minister’s words regarding unvaccinated Canadians have been divisive..When asked if she had interest in running for leadership of the federal Conservative party Clark said no, but reiterated she’ll be voting for Charest, which sparked applause in the room..For the final question the former BC premier was asked about Smith's proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act..“Some of the UCP candidates in Alberta want to start their campaign, their government, with a sovereignty referendum, or something like that. I think that is batshit crazy,” said Clark..On Saturday, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney echoed Clark's sneering sentiment, saying Smith's proposed act is making the province a "laughing stock" in the rest of Canada, a comment that's been met with both support and vicious criticism..READ MORE: Kenney attacks Smith's proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act
