Alberta NDP calls for firing of premier's aide over First Nations remarks
Opposition leader Naheed Nenshi says Premier Danielle Smith should dismiss executive director Bruce McAllister for a social media post criticizing First Nations chiefs.
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Alberta's Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi called Friday for Premier Danielle Smith to fire her office's executive director, Bruce McAllister, over a social media post criticizing First Nations chiefs.
McAllister posted Thursday that First Nations chiefs should fix their own communities instead of accusing Smith of treason over her planned fall separation referendum. He described First Nations as "entrenched in poverty, drugs and violence."
Nenshi, speaking in Calgary, said McAllister's commentary echoes bullying behaviour from Smith and a pattern of disrespect from her United Conservatives. He described McAllister as Smith's "number two guy" with a history of showing contempt for those who disagree with him.
"These are dog whistles," Nenshi said. "His entire world is about making and keeping people angry."
Nenshi also questioned how Smith will succeed in building a bitumen pipeline to the West Coast when she has lost the confidence of chiefs across the province.
The Assembly of Treaty Chiefs recently voted to ask the RCMP to investigate whether the October 19 referendum amounts to criminal treason by Smith and her government. According to the Criminal Code, treason is narrowly defined and includes sharing sensitive information with another state for purposes prejudicial to Canada's defence, or using force or violence to overthrow a Canadian government.
Smith responded earlier this week, telling reporters the chiefs should "check themselves" for such an inflammatory accusation. A spokesperson for the premier said Friday that accusing elected officials of treason is "dangerous and unacceptable rhetoric."