'We're finished': Minister's press secretary cuts off question about premier, minister absences
The press secretary for the minister of culture cut off a CTV News Edmonton reporter’s questions when he asked about the absence of the premier and cabinet ministers.
Minister Ron Orr was at an event in Lacombe, promoting Alberta Culture Days, when CTV News Edmonton reporter Nav Sangha attempted to ask him about other members of caucus.
“It’s about Culture Days,” said Amanda LeBlanc, the minister’s press secretary. “We’re finished… we’re finished, thanks, Nav.”
LeBlanc did eventually allow Sangha to ask his question, but stopped the minister before he could answer.
“Nav, we’re good, thank you so much. We’re all set minister,” she said.
The culture minister replied with “OK.”
'IT'S BACKFIRING ON THEM'
Orr is facing pandemic response questions because other government leaders have not.
"He's a provincial cabinet minister. He should be ready for questions on almost anything, including what's going on with the government today," said communications expert Grant Ainsley.
Education Minister Adriana LaGrange participated in two school announcements Tuesday in Sherwood Park and Stony Plain, but CTV News did not receive notice or an invitation from her office.
On Wednesday, Justice Minister Kaycee Madu's press secretary limited questions from reporters at a press conference about a large fentanyl bust.
Despite COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations growing, it's been weeks since Premier Jason Kenney, Health Minister Tyler Shandro or Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw held a press conference.
"It's backfiring on them," Ainsley said. "Essentially, what’s happened is that they just don’t have anything good to say right now, they’ve got nothing."
Premier Kenney is back from vacation and back in the office, a government spokesperson told CTV News on Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.