@markusoff.bsky.social:
An organization barring media from covering “the most important free speech event of the year” is chef’s [redacted]
@sidewalkbobyyc.bsky.social:
So, not one news organization or journalist, could sneak in someone to record or listen to this well publicized secret gathering ?
@bacullenyyc.bsky.social:
Conservatives only believe in free speech if they agree with the content.
@fluxliner.bsky.social:
Bruce Cullen IS Correct. Add to that,….Rule of Law is only OK when Conservatives Like a Law. When they don’t like a Law, they either disregard it OR run roughshod over it.
Smith says she attended True North event to sway separatists, but critics aren’t convinced, True North, a right-wing media organization, promoted the event on social media as “the most important free speech event of the year.” Media outlets were denied access to the event and were unable to hear the premier’s remarks by Noah Brennan, Oct 10, 2026, Calgary Sun
Premier Danielle Smith defended her decision to speak at a closed-door True North event in northeast Calgary on Saturday, saying she was there to convince those who favour holding a binding vote on separation to instead support remaining in Canada.
“The only way to convince people to vote for Option 1 is to talk to people who are voting for Option 2,” Smith told a Postmedia reporter as she entered the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza & Conference Centre, shortly before her scheduled appearance.
True North, a right-wing media organization, promoted the event on social media as “the most important free speech event of the year.” Tickets were advertised for $99, with sales closed ahead of Saturday’s gathering.
If it truly was the most important “free speech” event of the year, it would have been fucking free.
Media outlets were denied access to the event and were unable to hear the premier’s remarks.That’s no loss to the press, Smith lies when she opens her cruel Nazi mouth.
In addition to the premier, the speakers list included right-wing figures like Tamara Lich, a prominent organizer of the 2022 Freedom Convoy protest that brought downtown Ottawa to a standstill for several weeks. Last year, Lich was convicted of mischief for her role in the protest and handed a 15½-month conditional sentence after credit for time served, including 12 months of house arrest and 3½ months under a strict curfew.Her sweet kiss of a sentence is being appealed, may Ms. Lich end up in prison for a long time.
Smith’s participation in the event came just nine days before Albertans head to the polls in a referendum that will ask voters to weigh in on 10 questions, including whether the province should remain in Canada or begin the process toward holding a second, binding referendum on separation.
Critics questioned the sincerity of Smith’s stated reason for attending the event, arguing the premier has done little to actively campaign against separation while maintaining ties with figures within the movement.
In a statement Saturday, Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said Smith “has not lifted a finger to unify our province or our country.
“Instead, she chose to spend her summer and fall vacationing in the U.S., and hanging out with far-right extremists and fellow separatists,” the statements reads.
“Albertans are right to judge Danielle Smith by the company she keeps.”I judge her by her cruelty to those her christian base hates and the endless shit of lies that spew from her lips.
‘Better late than never’
Forever Canadian leader Thomas Lukaszuk expressed skepticism about the message Smith intended to deliver to an audience he characterized as likely being full of devout separatists who form a significant contingent of the UCP base — a group he argued holds the premier’s political future in their hands.
“Better late than never, but I am not entirely sure what message the premier plans to deliver,” he said in an interview.
Lukaszuk, who has spent the last 17½ months travelling across Alberta in his campaign bus speaking with Albertans on both sides of the separation debate, argued Smith has been absent from such efforts.
“I’ve been looking in the rearview mirror of this bus, hoping that I would see the premier … campaigning for Canada,” he said.
That skepticism appeared to extend beyond Smith’s political rivals, with recent polling suggesting many Albertans are unconvinced of the premier’s commitment to keeping the province in Canada.
A Leger poll released Friday suggests fewer than one in three Albertans surveyed were certain the premier wants Alberta to remain in Canada, with just 32 per cent of respondents to the online survey expressing that view.
Lukaszuk described Smith as being caught in a political dilemma of her own making, between her stated support for remaining in Canada and a United Conservative Party base divided over separation.
“In order for her to keep her position as a leader of that party, she has to have their favour,” he said. “It will be a very interesting dance on a tight rope.”
While Lukaszuk said he would welcome Smith urging attendees to vote to remain in Canada, he doubted such a message would be well received.
“I would be pleased to hear her say that she encourages all of them to vote for Option 1. But I don’t imagine that that will be a message well received in a room like that,” he said.
‘Why can’t Albertans know?’
He also questioned the decision to speak at a gathering that excluded journalists, arguing Albertans should be able to hear what the premier is saying to supporters of separatism so close to the referendum.
“Why can’t Albertans know what the premier says to her own party members and friends behind closed doors to the separatists?” Lukaszuk said. “Why, when she meets with separatists, it has to be behind closed doors?
“What will she be saying to them that the rest of us shouldn’t hear?”
The event did attract at least one protester.
Wearing a red hat stitched with the slogan “Canada Is Not For Sale,” Jennifer Morse said she was prepared to remain outside until her fingers froze, as she stood across the street from the hotel in cold, windy conditions Saturday morning.
Morse said she is “deeply angry” about the upcoming referendum and accused Smith of helping advance the separatist movement despite publicly supporting Alberta remaining a province of Canada.
“(Smith) is a quisling,” Morse said, noting she uses the term to mean “collaborator” and “traitor.”
She also took issue with Smith’s participation in an event featuring personalities such as Lich, pointing to the convoy organizer’s legal history.
“(Lich) is a big name,” Morse said. “It is disgusting.”
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