EDMONTON – Premier Rachel Notley says having an oversized picture of her face crafted onto a cardboard target for golf balls does not reflect the Alberta that she knows.
“This kind of thing does not reflect the vast majority of Albertans, I know that,” she said, “and it’s a little bit concerning when Alberta gets painted a certain way.
“Political debate is great. I think political differences is great, I grew up with that my whole life, but I think the best way to deal with that is through intelligent, thoughtful, respectful dialogue and debate.
“I think the more than we can do that, the more we can move our province forward… That’s the kind approach I’m going to take to political debate,” Notley said.
READ MORE: NDP say photo showing Rachel Notley’s head on golf target inappropriate
Notley was responding after her picture was propped up on the 11th hole at the Brooks Golf Club last Friday for an oilmen’s golf tournament.
It was meant to be a target for golfers, and a video later posted online depicted a dash-cam-style shot of laughing golfers running it over.
READ MORE: Alberta labour group calls for police to take action on ‘toxic rhetoric’ aimed at female politicians
A picture of the target posted on social media last Saturday prompted angry denunciations from some of Notley’s MLAs and reignited the larger discussion of threats against female politicians.
When asked Thursday if the incident was a “sexism concern,” the premier replied: “I think really it’s about the way in which people engage in debate.
“It’s more important to put the facts in front of the anger and to go on the basis of the facts.”
READ MORE: Man behind Rachel Notley golf target apologizes
The tournament organizer who created the signs says it was meant as lighthearted fun and that people he knows are upset with how Notley’s NDP has handled the downturn in the oil-reliant economy.
With files from Global News
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