EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government and a member of the Opposition NDP are in a standoff over questions in the legislature.

Smith’s United Conservatives say they will no longer respond to questions from Edmonton-Gold Bar MLA Marlin Schmidt until he publicly apologizes.

The UCP wants Schmidt to say sorry for suggesting in questions last week that Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides would be OK abetting sexual predators if he doesn’t make changes to how serious incidents are reported at daycares.

When Schmidt went to ask a question today on another topic, UCP house leader Joseph Schow said the remark was disgusting, and said until Schmidt apologizes the government won’t be answering his queries.

Schmidt says he has no plans to apologize.

By parliamentary convention, Opposition members have a right to ask questions in the house, and cabinet ministers do not have a legal duty to answer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2025.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press