Joe.My.God. LGBT News
The National Observer reports:
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, in a leaked cellphone call, commiserated with a COVID-19 protester about his trial while divulging to him there was an internal dispute over how Crown prosecutors were handling COVID-19 cases. Smith also promised on the call to intervene as best she could on Artur Pawlowski’s behalf and said she was reminding prosecutors “almost weekly” about her concerns over pursuing such cases.
“I’m sorry to hear what they’re putting you through,” Smith is heard telling Pawlowski in the early January call, recorded on a cellphone video that was released Wednesday by the Opposition NDP. The call was made before the trial of the Calgary pastor in February for criminal mischief and a charge under Alberta’s Critical Infrastructure Defence Act. The charges relate to last year’s blockade at the Canada-United States border crossing at Coutts., Alta., over COVID-19 health rules.
Read the full article.
Upon her election last year, Smith promised to pardon those arrested for violating COVID protocols. In January 2023, she walked back that vow.
Artur Pawloski has appeared on JMG several times for COVID-related arrests. During his arrest last year for harassing public health officials, he called police officers “Nazis.”
Pawlowski is fond of blaming natural disasters on God’s anger over LGBTQ civil rights, once telling the families of flood victims that the fatal waters were God’s tears over Canada’s acceptance of homosexuality.
He first appeared on JMG way back in 2010 when Canada revoked his then-church’s tax-exempt status for violating laws on political activities by churches.
Our justice system must remain free from political interference. Danielle Smith is on tape speaking with a man on trial, admitting she contacted the prosecutors’ office weekly. That’s unacceptable – and it’s another change in her story! #ableg #YYChttps://t.co/9fmAYufhYe
— Michael Lisboa-Smith (@LisboaYYC) March 29, 2023
NEW:
In a leaked video chat with Artur Pawlowski, Premier Danielle Smith says “I can assure you, I have asked them (prosecutors) that almost weekly ever since I got started here” about COVID prosecutions. #yeg #yyc #ableg pic.twitter.com/Ypy2ywinBM
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 29, 2023
There’s so much to unpack in our story about the Smith-Pawlowski call.
Among them, the fact it was facilitated by the then-leader of an Alberta pro-separatist movement. https://t.co/6PKqRp3rcR— Jason Markusoff (@markusoff) March 29, 2023
Artur Pawlowski was just dropped by the Alberta Independence Party for being too extreme.
In this leaked phone call, Danielle Smith says she is “very sympathetic” to him and that she’s been “watching your public advocacy for many years.” #ableg #yyc #yeg https://t.co/oJftZ1J7pZ
— Joe Ceci (@joececiyyc) March 29, 2023
i know that danielle smith is an idiot but having an on-purpose phone conversation set up by your staff with artur pawlowski, one of the most politically toxic people in ab, to talk about how you’re doing your darndest to get those coutts charges dropped is jaw-droppingly stupid.
— Duncan Kinney (@duncankinney) March 29, 2023
Danielle Smith sympathises with Pawlowski, who is a known racist & homophobe.
Danielle Smith kept on talking to the accused for weeks, & rejected the claims in public.
Our justice system MUST remain independent & corruption free.
Albertans deserve better #ableg #UCPcorruption— Jasvir Deol (@JasvirDeol_) March 29, 2023
Smith’s refusal to take questions from the media on this issue simply cannot be allowed to stand any longer.
Albertans deserve accountability from their Premier and to have confidence in the justice system.
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) March 29, 2023