Danielle Smith was facing renewed attacks Tuesday during the final debate in the campaign to replace Jason Kenney as Alberta's UCP leader and premier.
Smith was criticized for her proposed Alberta sovereignty act and for leading a mass floor crossing to the Progressive Conservatives in late 2014.
Smith was also attacked by multiple candidates for her policy plan to pass a bill giving the province the right to ignore federal laws and court rulings deemed harmful to its interests.
Critics, including legal scholars, say such a bill is not only illegal but will create a constitutional crisis.