Ethics official cites Alberta premier for violation, ahead of election

FILE PHOTO: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks during the Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada March 23, 2023. REUTERS/Lars Hagberg/

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith interfered with the judicial process, the Canadian province's ethics commissioner said in a ruling released on Thursday, two weeks before a provincial election that is expected to be hard fought.

At a time when raging wildfires in Alberta are testing Smith's disaster management skills, the announcement is yet another challenge for the right-leaning ruling United Conservative Party (UCP), which has run into trouble over statements by Smith and other candidates.