​Alberta Premier Rachel Notley spoke for the first time Thursday about comments made about her by Wildrose Leader Brian Jean.

Notley said she was "bemused" when she learned that Jean had made a joke that ended with the line, "But it's against the law to beat Rachel Notley."

"I was bemused," Notley told reporters at a school opening in Edmonton.

She said she learned of Jean's comment while she and her husband were celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary.

Notley said the comments don't reflect Albertans' values.

"And then again, my focus is on ensuring that Albertans recommit themselves generally, and that they hold their leaders to account to ensure that ... as I say, we engage respectfully, and we focus on the issues, and we debate each other with great passion, using the facts and the arguments in order to get to the best outcome."