A confrontation in the Alberta legislature has escalated into a standoff, with Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government refusing to answer questions from NDP MLA Marlin Schmidt until he issues a public apology for remarks he made during the question period last week.
Schmidt, who represents Edmonton-Gold Bar, came under fire after asking Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides whether he intended to “let more sexual predators off the hook” in relation to rules requiring daycares to inform parents about serious incidents.
The question followed reports that a young girl in Schmidt’s constituency had been sexually assaulted at a daycare, with parents only notified two months later.
When Schmidt rose to ask a question Monday on an unrelated matter, Government House Leader Joseph Schow announced the UCP would not engage with him until he apologized.
Schmidt, a former advanced education minister, refused, saying he stands by his criticism. “The only people who deserve an apology are the parents of Willowbrae Academy, and they haven’t gotten anything from this government,” he said.
Schow doubled down, accusing Schmidt of a “history of making despicable, defamatory comments” and reaffirming that cabinet ministers would ignore his questions until he retracts his remarks.
The initial dispute centers on a July incident at Willowbrae Academy in Edmonton. CBC reported parents were told only that a “serious incident” had occurred, and more details emerged only after the complainant’s parent spoke at a town hall meeting.
A former daycare worker was charged but had already left Canada. The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service has not provided further updates.
In the question period last week, Schmidt urged the government to require the Education Ministry, not daycare operators, to notify parents of such incidents, arguing operators “have every incentive to hide incidents that threaten profits rather than protect children.”
Schow called Schmidt’s comments “despicable and disgusting.” Speaker Ric McIver’s office confirmed that while Opposition MLAs are entitled to ask questions, ministers are not obligated to respond.
Schmidt said he believed the matter was settled because he withdrew the remark the same day, even though he did not formally apologize. McIver had declared the issue resolved.
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