UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith said the federal government and the current premier should stay out of the leadership election..On Friday, Smith released a statement in response to comments made by Alberta Lieutenant-Governor Salma Lakhani, who said she would not give royal assent to any bill that's unconstitutional, referring to Smith's Alberta Sovereignty Act.."Over the last 24 hours, Alberta’s outgoing premier and Justin Trudeau’s federally appointed lieutenant governor, have both broken with constitutional convention and willfully inserted themselves into the leadership election to select the next premier of Alberta," Smith said.."This is unprecedented and entirely inappropriate political interference in our democratic processes.".Smith said the lieutenant governor is an unelected figurehead, appointed by the prime minister, that plays a wholly ceremonial role in our system of government.."She does not have authority to refuse assent to bills democratically passed in the provincial legislature," Smith said.."I request that she walk back her comments and fulfill her role appropriately.".Smith also called out Jason Kenney for his recent comments on the leadership election.."As for the outgoing premier, never in our province’s history has an outgoing leader of a party so brazenly and inappropriately inserted himself into the election of his successor," Smith said.."I am also concerned that the premier appears to be using the powers and resources of his office for political purposes and truly hope that neither he, nor Justin Trudeau, were involved with the remarks given by the lieutenant governor yesterday. Such influence would be inappropriate in the extreme.".Smith admitted she understands Kenney is "disappointed with how his leadership was viewed by Albertans and UCP members."."I urge him to do a better job of acting like a responsible statesman going forward," said Smith. ."I also call on all UCP leadership candidates, regardless of their positions on the Sovereignty Act, to call on the outgoing premier and the lieutenant governor to refrain from further inappropriate interference with our province’s democratic processes."."Finally, as regarding the Sovereignty Act ... as premier it is my intention to work collaboratively with our caucus to draft a bill based in sound constitutional principles and language. Indeed, the entire objective of the sovereignty act is to uphold and defend the constitutional rights of Alberta and the Charter freedoms of our people from continued unconstitutional attacks by Ottawa."."I will be announcing further details of the proposed particulars and mechanics of the bill next week, with the actual language of the bill to be drafted with Caucus’ full involvement if elected premier. I also look forward to debating and passing this critical legislation in our democratically elected legislature this fall."
