CBC News retracts report alleging email interference by Alberta premier’s office

CBC made the announcement Wednesday in an unsigned editor’s note atop an amended online version of the original Jan. 19 story. “Our sources have insisted that Crown prosecutors felt political pressure regarding the Coutts, (Alta. ), cases, but they are not able to confirm that the emails they originally described were sent directly from the premier’s office to the Crown,” said the editor’s note. “As such, we have updated this story and related pieces, removing references to direct contact between the premier’s office and prosecutors — which the premier has vehemently denied. Smith’s office has threatened to sue the CBC for defamation for months over the story, but has yet to formally launch a claim.