Alberta’s post-truth Premier
Leaders who fail to refute misinformation contribute to a lack of trust in our public institutions.
Published Oct 10, 2024 in The Sherwood Park News • 3 minute read
The chemtrail conspiracy theory is the erroneous belief that the condensation trails left in the sky behind high-flying aircraft are actually chemicals being sprayed on us for nefarious purposes by a government agency like the United States Department of Defense; or some other top-secret organization hiding away from the public view like Doctor Evil in the Austin Powers movies.
Let that sink in for a moment.
There are people in Alberta that believe when a jet flies overhead, we are being sprayed with chemicals that are being used for psychological manipulation, population control, spread of illness, or some other imagined outcome.
It is not true. It does not stand up to even the slightest scrutiny. It is pure conspiracy theory.
The puffy white trails of exhaust left behind high flying aircraft are contrails, predominantly made up of water and carbon dioxide; the combustion products of burning jet fuel. On a beautiful blue-sky day, when I see condensation trails left behind jets flying high above Sherwood Park, I marvel at the wonder of air travel. I do not worry that I might be a victim of a conspiracy to control my mind, by an evil villain.
But one fairly prominent Albertan is among those who do.
During a recent town hall, Premier Danielle Smith discussed chemtrails, openly pondering the conspiracy theory. She told an audience in Edmonton about the work she has done to investigate if Albertans are being sprayed with chemical agents from jet planes. She also said she’d heard; “that if anyone is doing it, it is the U.S. Department of Defense.” And then the premier lamented that she doesn’t have much power, if it is the U.S. Department of Defense spraying us.
Alberta’s post-truth premier could have decided to use her platform and influence to debunk the chemtrails conspiracy theory when someone in the audience asked her about it. Instead, she decided to share her concern about chemtrails and cast suspicion on the U.S. Department of Defense. These comments by the premier were entirely irresponsible and even dangerous.
Leaders have a duty to refute misinformation. Failing to do so indirectly validates false ideas and contributes to a lack of trust in our public institutions. It can also be very costly.
This past spring, the UCP government passed Bill 20 to introduce municipal political parties and ban the use of electronic voting machines in Alberta’s municipal elections. Their ban of electronic voting machines is going to cost Albertans millions of dollars. Our property taxes will go up to pay for it.
Conspiracy theorists believe electronic voting machines change the results of elections. There is no evidence this happens. In fact, Fox News paid Dominion Voting Systems nearly $800 million US in 2023 to avert a trial in the voting machine company’s lawsuit that would have exposed how the media network promoted lies about the 2020 presidential election. Truth matters, lies have consequences.
If someone at your Thanksgiving Dinner this weekend shares their belief in an outrageous conspiracy theory, let them know you love them, but do them a favour and make sure they know that just because Danielle Smith believes it, does not make it true.
Please reach out to me if you have any thoughts on this or other issues that are top of mind for you.
Kyle Kasawski is the MLA for Sherwood Park. If you have questions about this column or any provincial issues, he would like to hear from you. Find his contact information at meetkyle.ca.