Alberta MLA accuses school principal of weaponizing position to push recall petition

One of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's caucus members went on the attack Wednesday against a constituent trying to get her kicked out of the legislature.

Angela Pitt, in an open letter, accused constituent Derek Keenan of abusing his job as a high school principal in order to launch a politically motivated recall petition to try to get her removed as the United Conservative member for Airdrie-East.

"Every Albertan has the right to express their views," Pitt wrote.

"But using a taxpayer-funded position of authority to advance a politically motivated campaign raises concerns about the potential inappropriateness of said campaign.

"At its core, this effort isn't about accountability; it never was. It's about politics, plain and simple."

A spokesperson for the United Conservative caucus and Pitt did not immediately respond to an interview request or questions about how Keenan was abusing his position of authority.

Pitt's letter says she believes the petition is motivated by the Alberta government's handling of a provincewide teachers strike last month.

Smith's government passed a bill ordering 51,000 teachers back to work after three weeks off the job while imposing a labour contract that teachers previously rejected. The government used the Charter's notwithstanding clause to shield the law from legal challenge.

That decision has faced widespread criticism from labour groups, lawyers and civil liberties groups as democratically dangerous overreach.

Pitt wrote that the government didn't make the decision lightly to employ the notwithstanding clause, but said ultimately it was deemed necessary.

"Children have a right to learn, and that right cannot be held hostage to alternate agendas," she wrote.

Pitt added that she knows some Albertans disagree with the government's approach and that "dissent is a vital part of democracy."

"However, the government did not introduce the Recall Act to be weaponized by political activists who disagree with government policy."

The United Conservatives under former premier Jason Kenney brought in the Recall Act in 2021 as a way to hold elected representatives accountable between general elections.