Alberta premier backs off on promise to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators

Alberta premier backs off on promise to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violatorsEDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, less than three months after promising to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators, says she will now let justice take its course while also announcing she is regularly contacting Crown prosecutors about these cases. “The way our system of justice works is we do have an independent justice department and independent Crown prosecutors,” Smith told reporters Thursday when asked why she has not followed through on the pardon commitment. “The premier has never spoken with any Crown prosecutors about any particular court/legal matter they deal with.”Smith’s office did not respond to a request for clarification. Smith has called the COVID-19 unvaccinated the most discriminated group she has ever seen in her lifetime. He called Smith "Kenney 2.0," referencing to her predecessor, Jason Kenney.