The sharing of blog content was first reported by freelance journalist Justin Ling. In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesman for the prime minister’s office said Smith condemned all expressions of anti-Semitism, adding that “this hatred has no place in society.” In her newsletter in April, Smith wrote about the possibility of digital currency being used by central banks. He used a link from the blog while discussing SWIFT, the Belgium-based association used by financial institutions around the world. “Will it do us any good, tied as we are to the Americans?” Smith wrote at that time. “I’m not sure yet, so I’m keeping a close eye on it. This article on [blog site] he believes that change signals the end of Western dominance and that we will find ourselves isolated from the rest of the world.” On another occasion, he linked to the site while discussing what he saw as misinformation online about the Ukraine-Russia conflict. CBC News is not naming the blog so as not to raise its profile further. The blog, which claims to publish “in-depth works on history, economics and socio-political issues”, frequently publishes anti-Semitic content, such as the one posted last Sunday. “I define Rothschild Zionism in its present incarnation as the amalgamation of Wall Street (global Jewish banking mafia families) and the Israel Lobby, along with their associated organizations, agencies, think tanks, spy networks, corporations and agents,” the post. reads. Many of the long blogs on the site are not attributed to an author, while other blogs appear to be reposts. A request for comment was returned by an anonymous person associated with the blog, who asked CBC News to dispute the claims on its website. Labeling the blog as anti-Semitic was an attempt to shut down an “open discussion,” the person said. Michael Mostyn, CEO of Canadian Jewish human rights organization B’nai Brith Canada, said the blog was a known purveyor of anti-Semitic tropes and “wild conspiracy theories” by those who follow it. “This is not content that should have been shared, certainly by anyone who was also seeking higher office. But now that he’s premier, I think he owes it to Albertans to distance himself from this blog,” she said. “He may not have known all the content, but if he were familiar with it, I think someone would say this is something to distance themselves from… this is not a blog that people in Alberta or anywhere in Canada or the world would they must turn to the place.’ Timothy Caulfield, Canada research chair in health law and policy at the University of Alberta, says it’s “seemingly problematic” that Premier Danielle Smith has used her social media platforms to encourage others to engage in conspiracy theories. (Sam Martin/CBC) Timothy Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy at the University of Alberta, who focuses on debunking pseudoscience and unproven health advice, said he noticed a pattern in Smith’s posts — a pattern which embraces fringe voices drawn to a conspiratorial worldview. “Like someone [at the university] that’s deep into that space, the anti-vaxxers world… it’s basically embracing the stars of that movement,” Caulfield said, noting the many times she’s also highlighted the work of well-known fringe voices. “Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Peter McCullough, these are known anti-Vaxxers who spread harmful misinformation.” Caulfield said he was familiar with the blog Smith had linked to, describing it as one that embraces a philosophy that warns of the imminent emergence of a nefarious global agenda. Such conspiracies often warn of the so-called Great Reset.
Previous social media habits
Smith’s past social media habits have come under increasing scrutiny since she was sworn in as prime minister on October 11. In recent weeks, Smith has come under fire for her comments on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, previously arguing that the only answer for Ukraine was neutrality during a live chat held on April 29. Smith had said she understood why Russia would be concerned about a nuclear-armed western Ukraine, although Ukraine has not had nuclear weapons since the 1990s. Although she apologized for those comments, saying that her opinion on the matter had “evolved drastically”, Smith expressed a desire to put such issues in the mirror. In her leadership speech, Smith said she expected those “in Ottawa and in the establishment” who did not want her to succeed would “sweep up old statements and mistakes from the past” to hurt the UCP. During an appearance on the Real Talk podcast with Ryan Jespersen last week, Premier Danielle Smith said she will continue to challenge the emerging scientific consensus, adding that she believes there are some areas that are no longer open to debate in society. (Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen) In an interview on Ryan Jespersen’s Real Talk podcast last week, Smith was asked if perhaps she should be more aware of the ideas she’s entertaining now that she’s in the prime minister’s chair. “I’m going to make sure I’m listening broadly and I’m going to hear from all the experts. That’s what I’ve tried to do on my show,” Smith said. “And if there’s something that emerges as some kind of consensus, if it’s about science, I’m going to challenge it, I certainly will. … There are too many areas that are no longer open to debate.”
