Alberta Premier Danielle Smith comments after cabinet swearing-in ceremony – June 9, 2023

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith holds a news conference outside Government House in Edmonton following a swearing-in ceremony for her new executive council. Smith’s United Conservative Party is remaining in government after the party won a majority of seats in the provincial legislature in the May 29 provincial general election. Smith has reduced the size of her cabinet from 27 to 25 members and has refocused it around a few new portfolios. The premier faces questions from reporters on topics including the role of climate change in wildfires, her proposal to create a council of unelected UCP candidates to advise her on issues facing Edmonton, and possible sanctions from the ethics commissioner after Smith was found to have violated conflict-of-interest rules.