COIN-GATE: Alberta NDP apologizes to premier's former chief of staff over false allegations

The Alberta NDP has apologized to Marshall Smith, former chief of staff to Premier Danielle Smith, for false allegations made in 2024.

In a Monday social media post, the NDP caucus admitted it “made a mistake” by suggesting Marshall Smith expensed commemorative vanity coins to the Alberta government, which he did not.

“The NDP caucus made an error for which we apologize,” Official Opposition House Leader Christina Gray wrote on X. “The invoice was marked paid. We now have evidence Mr. Smith paid for these coins from personal funds.”

The controversy began in December 2024 when the NDP posted on X, alleging Smith, who resigned in October 2024, misused public funds for the coins.

"The NDP caucus obtained an invoice following a FOIP request that disclosed the purchase of collector coins valued at approximately $3,000.00," Gray wrote on Monday.

"The invoice was addressed to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services. The invoice issued was marked paid. The NDP caucus regrets the confusion that the contents of the invoice has caused and acknowledges that Mr. Smith appears to have paid for the coins himself."

Danielle Smith's current Chief of Staff Rob Anderson chastised the NDP on social media, saying, "It won’t be the last time you and your party will have to apologize for lying to Albertans and smearing good peoples’ reputations. Disgraceful."

The apology follows months of NDP accusations against Marshall Smith’s tenure, including claims of procurement interference at Alberta Health Services (AHS).

In January 2025, former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos alleged Smith pressured her to approve private surgical contracts, which he denied.

Led by Naheed Nenshi, the NDP called for investigations, including an RCMP probe, into alleged government corruption.

Alberta’s auditor general is reviewing AHS procurement practices, and Danielle Smith has pledged cooperation.

The coin controversy amplified NDP criticism of United Conservative Party ethics. Premier Smith called the coin allegations slander.