Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is wading into the controversy over Edmonton police chief Warren Driechel’s Israel trip in February, taking aim at Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack.
Kenney, in a series of posts on X, blasted the mayor who publicly criticized the trip last week, writing: “Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack is an object lesson in how the Canadian left has lost its moral bearings.”
Kenney, in his posts, questioned why Edmonton’s mayor visited China in January while boycotting Israel, saying he’s pandering to groups that hate Israel: “Why would he want to ‘deepen our special ties’ with a communist China, while stigmatizing the Middle East’s only democracy?”
“Why would a Canadian leftist privilege relations with the world leader in executions, while opposing engagement of the only Middle Eastern country which has effectively ended capital punishment?”
Why would a self-styled “progressive” like Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack visit the dictatorial PRC, while boycotting the democratic Jewish homeland?
Why would he want to “deepen our special ties” with a Communist China, while stigmatizing the Middle East’s only democracy?
— Jason Kenney ???????????????????????? (@jkenney) March 16, 2026
Both countries are facing allegations of human rights abuses.
Mayor Andrew Knack spoke out publicly against the trip last week, saying he was “deeply disappointed and frustrated” by the chief’s decision to join the delegation visiting police leaders in Israel.
On Wednesday, Knack was asked to respond to Kenney’s critiques.
“Well, I talked about that just a couple days ago. I think I’ve already answered, but just as a bit of repeat to that, you know, I think it’s always important to reflect context and everything,” Knack said.
Knack defended his trip to China.
“There’s always going to be a need to travel to different parts, whether it’s within the province, within the country, occasionally outside the world, or rather outside the country here, and so I think it’s important to be proactive and transparent,” he said.
While the mayor and Kenney may be at odds, Knack said he smoothed over his relationship with the police chief.
City Coun. Reed Clarke isn’t worried about the relationship either.
“I think they understand each other’s decisions and approach, and they may not agree on that, but I think there’s a lot of respect in that approach, and I expect that will continue,” said Clarke.