Smith cites Dhanraj’s ousting as proof of CBC, legacy media bias
Smith delved into the legacy media’s bias against conservatives and warned that time may be running out for Prime Minister Mark Carney as the separatist movement gains traction on a recent podcast.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith delved into the legacy media’s bias against conservatives and warned that time may be running out for Prime Minister Mark Carney as the separatist movement gains traction on a recent podcast.
When asked by the Paikin Podcast host, Steve Paikin, whether Canadian courts, media, and the public service lean more Conservative or Liberal, Smith said the CBC made that clear through its recent controversy.
Former CBC anchor Travis Dhanraj recently said he was “forced to resign” from the public broadcaster after raising concerns about tokenism, editorial bias, and a culture of exclusion.
Smith also recounted an anecdote where a reporter, while questioning her housing minister, allegedly contacted 12 other individuals about a policy change. The reporter chose not to quote any of them because they all agreed with Smith, instead finding a dissenting voice from outside the province to fit a particular narrative.
“I think part of the reason why the decline in mainstream media and the rise of alternative media is because, for some reason, they decided they didn’t want Conservative voices and didn’t want Conservative viewers,” Smith said. “And so, Conservative viewers have complied and gone elsewhere.”
She added that one aspect of the issue from a public service perspective is a quota for the percentage of public servants who need to be bilingual, increasing the number who come from Quebec, which Smith would “not call a Conservative province.”
Smith said that despite left-wing bias influencing young minds through academia, young adults are graduating from university with sometimes over $100,000 in school debt, yet are still unable to find a job, buy a house, or financially support children.
“I feel like young people are having a really tough time right now. They’re asking questions: Why is it so expensive? Why don’t I have a job? Why can’t I buy a house? Why is so much of my paycheque going to pay for taxes for programs that I don’t even use?” Smith said. “I think we’ve got to restore hope and opportunity to kids.”
Despite explaining that the urge for Albertans to separate from Canada continues to rise, citing polls as high as 37 per cent, Smith explained she swore an oath to His Majesty and remains a monarchist. However, she explained that Carney’s clock was ticking.
“We have seen that Ottawa’s actions can either create that opposition and dissent, or it can also be alleviated by Ottawa’s actions,” Smith said. “I don’t think he has a lot of time.”
However, Smith said she’s still operating in good faith, noting that Alberta and Ottawa have created a working group to review nine federal laws.
She added that she hopes that Carney can make some progress on the nine pieces of legislation she’s warned must be changed to avoid “a national unity crisis” by the fall.
While Carney had a short legislative session where he passed a tax cut, and changed the carbon and capital gains taxes, Smith said none of the nine bills have been amended.
While not directly criticizing Carney for his negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, Smith said she wishes more people had taken her approach.
That approach included studying Trump through literature. Smith cited reading Trump: The Art of the Deal, former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s book, and reading up on former president William McKinley, who she said Trump idolizes.
During the lengthy podcast, Smith also revealed some personal details. She said her favourite premier of all time was Ralph Klein. Her favourite prime minister, while not Canadian, is Margaret Thatcher.
Smith also revealed her real name, which nobody calls her — Marlaina Danielle Smith. Despite the different spelling, she was named after the song “Marlena” by The Four Seasons.