Danielle Smith has become Alberta’s new premier.

Smith was sworn into office by Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani in a ceremony at Government House in Edmonton. Smith will also serve as intergovernmental affairs minister and plans to announce a revised cabinet on Oct. 21.

In her first remarks as premier, the United Conservative Party leader promised to govern on core values of freedom, family, faith, community and free enterprise. She also promised to challenge the federal carbon tax and to introduce a sovereignty act that would reject federal laws deemed against the province’s interests.

The 51-year-old former Wildrose Party leader and journalist doesn’t have a seat in the legislature but announced over the weekend that she will run in a byelection in Brooks-Medicine Hat.

(The Canadian Press)