Alberta Premier Danielle Smith comes under fire for comments about chemtrails
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office says her recent comments about chemtrails don't mean she believes the United States government is spraying them in the province.
“The premier was simply sharing what she has heard from some folks over the summer on this issue,” Smith’s spokesperson Savannah Johannsen said Tuesday in a statement.
"She was not saying that she believed the U.S. government was using chemtrails in Alberta."
Johannsen added: “The premier has heard concerns from many Albertans about this topic. In response, the provincial government looked into the issue and found no evidence of chemtrails occurring in Alberta.”
Smith faced criticism after she spoke about chemtrails this past weekend at a United Conservative Party town hall in Edmonton.
During the town hall, in response to an audience member’s concerns about chemtrail spraying over Edmonton, Smith said, “The best I have been able to do is talk to the woman who is responsible for controlling the airspace, and she says no one is allowed to go up and spray anything in the air.”
When the crowd hooted and booed, Smith said, “That’s what she’s told me.”
Smith added, “The other person told me that if anyone is doing it, it’s the U.S. Department of Defense.”
Smith said if the U.S. is hitting Alberta with chemtrails, her hands are somewhat tied as a regional leader in Canada.
“I have some limitations in what I can do in my job,” she said. “I don’t know that I would have much power if that is the case, if the U.S. Department of Defense is spraying us.”
She said she does what she can to investigate chemtrail allegations – checking with airports, the private sector and within her government — but so far no evidence has turned up that it is occurring.
“I’m kind of dead-ended here,” she told the town hall. “If you have some special lead that you want to give me afterwards, please let me know and I’ll track it down.”
The U.S. Department of Defense, in a request for comment, referred the issue to the North American Aerospace Defence Command, or Norad.
A spokesman for Norad, in an email, said, "Norad and U.S. Northern Command are not conducting any flight activities in Canada that involve the spraying of chemicals.”
White streaks of condensation can be visible in the sky after planes fly by. Some people have claimed the streaks are chemicals purposely sprayed by unknown entities for nefarious purposes.
Experts, including health law professor Timothy Caulfield, have dismissed it as a baseless conspiracy theory.
Caulfield, with the University of Alberta, said Smith is doing the public a disservice.
"In this age of misinformation, in this age where conspiracy theories are having a detrimental impact on democracies around the world, it's just horrifying to see a political leader not simply and explicitly correct the conspiracy theory," Caulfield said in an interview.
"It's maddening."
Caulfield said that over the years, many different forms of the chemtrails conspiracy theory have popped up, but each form usually points to powerful groups of people or organizations trying control the population.
He said Smith had an opportunity to quell real fears some may have about chemtrails but instead added fuel to the fire.
"That gives permission, gives room for, legitimizes (and) normalizes, something that is a ridiculous conspiracy theory," Caulfield said.
In Ottawa, Edmonton Liberal MP and cabinet minister Randy Boissonnault said Smith needs to focus.
"I think it’s becoming increasingly obvious that Premier Smith is using her office to peddle conspiracy theories," he said. "We’ve got a lot of issues in Alberta right now in a growing province.
"We simply need the premier to do her job, and talking about chemtrails simply doesn’t do the work."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
3 people arrested after incident during protest at Hindu temple in Brampton, Ont.: Peel police
Peel Regional Police say three people are in custody as they continue to investigate an incident during a demonstration at a Hindu temple in Brampton on Sunday.
Candlelight vigil held outside Halifax Walmart where employee was found dead
Hundreds of mourners took part in a candlelight vigil Sunday night for a young woman who was found dead at a Halifax Walmart last month.
Poilievre asks premiers to axe their sales taxes on new homes worth under $1 million
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to the provinces' premiers, asking them to eliminate their sales taxes on new homes that are under $1 million.
Police arrest Netanyahu aide as opponents accuse him of leaking intelligence to thwart Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal
Israeli police have arrested a top aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over allegedly leaking classified information to foreign media.
Where should Canada look to improve its housing situation? The answer may shock you
Housing experts argue widespread adoption of government-supported affordable housing, the growth of alternative models like co-operatives and co-housing, and the increased use of advanced building techniques could all play a role in improving Canada's housing system.
Ikea will pay 6 million euros to East German prisoners forced to build their furniture in landmark move
Furniture giant Ikea has agreed to pay 6 million euros (US$6.5 million) towards a government fund compensating victims of forced labour under Germany's communist dictatorship, in a move campaigners hope will pressure other companies to follow.
At least 36 dead after an overcrowded bus falls into a gorge in northern India
A poorly maintained and overcrowded bus veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in northern India on Monday, killing at least 36 people and injuring several others, officials said.
Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, dies at 91
Quincy Jones, the multi-talented music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson's historic 'Thriller' album to writing prize-winning film and television scores and collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists, has died at 91.
No strike notice so far as talks continue between Canada Post and workers' union
Canada Post says talks are continuing with the union that represents postal workers and neither side has given notice of a work stoppage.