Alberta premier calls on 'progressive' politicians to 'dial down' rhetoric after attack on Trump
Premiers say Canada-U.S. relations will be discussed at their annual meeting
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith — who once told former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson she wished he would put a federal cabinet minister in his "crosshairs" — called on "progressive" politicians to temper their language Monday after former U.S. president Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt.
Speaking to reporters as premiers gather in Halifax for the annual Council of the Federation, Smith said she's concerned about the language sometimes used to describe Canadian conservatives.
"Have you not looked at the headlines about how [Conservative Leader] Pierre Poilievre is described as dangerous? How the leader of the opposition in Alberta has described me as dangerous? When you start using that kind of rhetoric, that ends up creating an elevated risk for all of us," she said.
"And I think we have to be very mindful that we can have a disagreement in politics, but we have to stick to the issues."
On Saturday, Trump was injured in the upper part of his right ear when shots were fired at the stage where he was addressing a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. A Trump supporter was killed and two others were wounded before Secret Service agents shot dead the 20-year-old suspected gunman, whose motive has yet to be established.
"It's unacceptable and I'm glad that we're beginning to see that they recognize that things have gone too far," Smith said.
"The way in which conservative politicians have been characterized is outrageous and I think led to the culture that we've seen in the U.S., and I certainly hope that some of the progressive politicians here are careful of their language because they've been talking about conservative politicians in the same way and they need to dial it down."
But Smith herself has been criticized for using aggressive language to discuss political opponents.
Earlier this year, she was roundly condemned over comments she made to Carlson, a controversial conservative commentator, about federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Smith and Guilbeault have been at odds over the federal government's climate policies, which the premier has said are far too restrictive and are punishing Albertans who rely on fossil fuels.
During a conversation about the pitfalls of solar panels, Smith reportedly said to Carlson, "I wish you would put Steven Guilbeault in your crosshairs."
"He's an environmental zealot. He happens to be our environmental minister federally. He believes he has the expertise and knowledge to tell us in Alberta how to run our power grid," Smith added.
At the time, Guilbeault said he felt "targeted" by the Smith-Carlson fireside chat.
When asked Monday if she needs to reflect on her own comments, Smith said she focuses on issues.
"I think we should be focused on issues ... and you start calling and start describing people in a way that is inappropriate and creates a dangerous environment, I think people need to be self-reflective of that," she said.
In a followup scrum, Smith was asked whether the "crosshairs" comment meets her standards of respect in politics.
"I've been very clear that Stephen Guilbeault should be fired from his job as environment minister," she responded. "And I stand by that."
Speaking to a Toronto radio show on Monday, Poilievre, who has been accused of contributing to the deterioration of political decorum in Ottawa, said he doesn't plan on changing his tone following the shooting.
"Let's be very clear, my criticisms of the prime minister have been entirely reasonable and focused on his policy agenda. We are not going to censor ourselves now. We're not going to allow this shooter to shut down our debate," he told the The Alex Pierson Show on Toronto radio station AM 640.
In April, House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus kicked Poilievre out of question period after he called Trudeau a "wacko" for supporting B.C.'s past policy of decriminalizing some hard drugs in an attempt to reduce the number of overdose-related deaths.
Poilievre said it was a "wacko policy" backed by "this wacko prime minister." Fergus asked him to withdraw the "unparliamentary language."
Poilievre refused, saying only that he agreed to replace "wacko" with "extremist" or "radical." Poilievre's refusal prompted Fergus to remove him.
"That criticism will continue," Poilievre said Monday.
"I will continue to do my job, which is to hold the government accountable, including the prime minister for the damage that he's doing in people's lives. That is my job and that will not stop."
Trudeau also has engaged in name-calling and on one occasion accused Poilievre of practising "shameful, spineless leadership." Trudeau also has said the Conservative leader welcomes "the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists."
Pierson asked Poilievre about a tweet he sent out in the aftermath of the shooting condemning the attack and adding that he was "happy that the suspected shooter is dead" — which raised some ire online.
"I don't know what they're offended about," said Poilievre.
"He killed another human being. I don't care what you think about president Trump, former president Trump. The reality is he's a human being, and so was the other innocent victim who died here heroically protecting his loved ones. So I don't know what people would expect me to say."
Assassination attempt to be discussed by premiers
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said he expects the shooting to come up during the premiers' meetings over the next few days. Canada-U.S. relations were already on the agenda, along with perennial political issues like housing, health care and affordability.
"I think it's important we understand the impact of any presidency moving forward," Furey said.
"What happened is historic and it will definitely change the landscape of democracy in the United States and by extension in Canada ... So that will definitely feed into conversations today and the analysis of a post-assassination attempt world."
Furey urged his provincial counterparts to keep their disagreements civil.
"Rhetoric really needs to becomes less personal, less aggressive, and stick to the content," he said
"Canadians want and deserve a conversation about where the country is going, not about the personalities who are trying to articulate that vision."
Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King said the shooting will be "on the top of everybody's mind."
"I'm a politician so it's a concern to me, but I think it's a public concern," he said.
"I just think the discourse has really changed and has really deteriorated between the people and the people like me who are serving them."
Minister in contact with RCMP, CSIS
In a media statement, the RCMP said it's been in contact with its U.S. counterparts about the assassination attempt. The national police force is responsible for protective policing of the Governor General and the prime minister. It also provides protection to cabinet ministers and others on a case-by-case basis.
"The RCMP continues to work together with local police of jurisdiction across the country as well as our international partners to share as much information as possible, and to adapt its protective measures, when required, in order to ensure adequate protection for all the people it protects," said the RCMP statement.
"The environment in which public figures operate is constantly evolving, and the RCMP takes all threats against public officials seriously."
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc has said top security officials in Canada have assured him they have increased their vigilance following the attack on Trump.
Speaking in Grande-Digue, N.B., LeBlanc said he "every confidence that the RCMP take all the steps necessary to protect Canadian politicians."
"They went through the threat landscape. They talked to me about the additional vigilance that they've put in place since the assassination attempt on former president Trump Saturday evening," he said.
LeBlanc also said he exchanged text messages with Poilievre to brief him.
"All of the appropriate steps will be in place to ensure that people can participate in a democracy in a safe way," he said.
"If you want to change the government, you participate in an election and you go to vote. You don't engage in acts of political violence."
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With files from Peter Zimonjic and Reuters