Alberta premier hammered for comparing vaccine mandates to Nazi Germany
The Alberta Provincial Election is just three weeks away, and Premier Danielle Smith is in hot water again over comments she made in the past.
The latest controversy comes from an episode of the IWM Big Picture Podcast that Smith did on November 10, 2021.
In a newly uncovered video, Danielle Smith compares “75 per cent” of Albertans who got the COVID-19 vaccine to supporters of Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler.
In the same interview, Smith also said the significance of the poppy has been “ruined.”
Danielle Smith is unfit to lead. pic.twitter.com/esEgok1YCB
— Alberta NDP (@albertaNDP) May 8, 2023
In the episode, she references the Netflix documentary How to Become a Tyrant, specifically the episode regarding Hitler.
“So many people say that they would not have succumbed to the charms of a tyrant, somebody telling them that they have all the answers, and he said I guarantee you would, and that’s the test here is we’ve seen it. We have 75% of the public who say not only hit me but hit me harder and keep me away from those dirty unvaccinated.”
In the same episode, she explains why she isn’t wearing a poppy on the day before Remembrance Day.
“I noticed you’re not wearing a poppy I’m not wearing a poppy because they ruined it for me this year, the political leaders standing on their soapboxes, pretending that they cared about all the things that you just talked about pretending they understand the sacrifice and not understanding that their actions are exactly the actions that our brave men and women in uniform are fighting against.”
With this clip coming to light the premier has issued an apology.
Received a statement from Danielle Smith about her comparison of people who got Covid vaccines to supporters of Nazis and Hitler: pic.twitter.com/274mnkotVr
— Catherine Griwkowsky (@CGriwkowsky) May 8, 2023
Her opposition in this month’s election, NDP Leader Rachel Notley, took to social media to voice her concerns over the statements.
Here is my statement in response to Danielle Smith’s offensive comments regarding vaccination and the Nazi regime:
In the middle of a global health crisis, Albertans came together to protect themselves, their neighbours, their communities, and their hospitals.
🧵 1/5
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) May 8, 2023
“In the middle of a global health crisis, Albertans came together to protect themselves, their neighbours, their communities, and their hospitals.
They rolled up their sleeves and took part in a province-wide effort to reduce and prevent hospitalizations during the rapid spread of COVID-19. In the video made public last night, Smith compares those who got vaccinated against COVID-19 to followers of Adolf Hitler.
She also disrespects the wearing of the poppy, saying its significance was ruined by decisions made by political leaders during the pandemic. These comments are horrifying.
What we have here is a Premier who is looking at all Albertans who stepped up—who followed the science and protected themselves, their neighbours and Alberta’s most vulnerable—and she is comparing them to the architects of an anti-Semitic genocide.
This is why Albertans cannot trust Danielle Smith’s leadership. You deserve better. You deserve so much better.”
This certainly got a lot of attention on social media with many wondering if this is the end of Danielle Smith as the premier of the province.
We will find out on May 29. I do sincerely hope that you are right!
— Flip-flopping Political Pancake™ (@PeteMossmulch) May 8, 2023
— Glenda⚛️❤🎶🍄 (@glenda_aus) May 8, 2023
Her values just aren’t aligned with those of most Albertans. There’s no other way to say it. She shouldn’t be anywhere near a leadership position, let along premier of our province.
— Kyle Kulyk 🕹️🇨🇦 (@Kyle_Itzy) May 8, 2023
#SmithMustRESIGN NOW. This is despicable. No politician should retain their position when remarks like this come to light.
— Katy E (@MargTokar) May 8, 2023
While others don’t feel like this is going to change anything in the upcoming election and are standing by the United Conservative Party leader.
. and @albertaNDP, the endless DD (that’s dissing Danielle) is not going to win you the seats you need in Calgary :-))
— Rob Taylor (@beltline_pres) May 8, 2023
If I ever needed another reason to never vote NDP, it’s crap like this.
— Ricky-Bobby McGolf (@icedawg_42) May 8, 2023
You guys are pathetic can’t win on policies my as well slander
— Merks34 (@Merks3413) May 8, 2023
This is not the first time Smith has come under fire for comments made about how the COVID-19 pandemic was handled.
In her first media address as premier, Smith said that unvaccinated people “have been the most discriminated against group” that she’s ever witnessed in her lifetime.
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