Stephen Harper fired 1st shot, now comes Rachel Notley's turn

Alberta Premier RachelNotleysays she rejects comments made this week by Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, who called her NDP government "a disaster."

At a news conference in Edmonton on Thursday, Notley, who wryly called Harper "acandidate in the current federal election" fired back at him, calling it "unusual' for a prime minister to fight with premiers during an election.

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"For the record, I completely reject the Conservative campaign's comments about the decisions of the people of Alberta that they made lastspring," Notley said.

"Whether their federal cousins like it or not, the people of Alberta decided they had enough of the Conservative government in this province."

Notley said she would likely attend campaign rallies, but said she would not be able to actively campaign for federal NDP Leader Tom Mulcair.

Mulcair, she said, "is a good guy" whom she likes very much. But the demands of her job as premier will keep her busy.

"I believe that infocusing on that, I have to do what I can to maintain co-operative and collaborative relationships with my colleagues, federally, in order to be productive," she said.

"And no matter who wins the next election, I will work as amicably and as co-operatively with them as they will allow."

Notley also called a provincial byelectionin Calgary-Foothills for Sept. 3. The seat was vacated on the night of the provincial election when Jim Prentice stepped down as Progressive Conservative leader and MLA when his party lost to the NDP.