Danielle Smith's proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act would create a 'banana republic': Kenney
As Danielle Smith released an overview of her proposed act to ignore federal laws, Alberta’s premier says the idea would "shred the rule of law" and lead to Alberta becoming a "banana republic."
Smith, who is running in the United Conservative Party’s leadership race to replace Jason Kenney, released more details on her proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act (ASA) on Tuesday morning. The proposal would see Alberta refuse to enforce federal laws and policies deemed not in the province’s best interest.
In a news release, Smith says the act would protect Alberta "from the destructive overreach of Ottawa."
The leadership candidate says the ASA would be one of the first bills tabled in the legislature if she were elected as UCP leader and premier. It would see MLAs vote on a "special motion" on any federal government policy that "appears to violate Alberta’s jurisdictional rights" under the constitution, the overview says.
"The majority of Albertans are frustrated with the ineffective letter writing campaigns and empty rhetoric employed by past premiers in dealing with attacks on Alberta by our Federal government, and want effective action to deal with the 'Ottawa Problem' without further delay," reads part of the overview.
Invoking the act would be done "relatively sparingly, Smith said, but examples of possible uses include federal rules on vaccination, the use of the Emergencies Act and enforcing of federal gun laws.
‘BRINK OF SEPARATION’: KENNEY
On Tuesday, Kenney again slammed the idea of a sovereignty act, calling it a "full-frontal attack on the rule of law."
Kenney says Alberta’s economy is heading in the right direction with investment and job creation, "all of which would be jeopardized if Alberta decides to become a banana republic that refuses to respect the authority of the courts, of the constitution and suddenly decides to move towards separation."
"The so-called sovereignty act would effectively bring us to the brink of separation from Canada."
It’s not just the premier who is critical of the act; legal experts have criticized the proposal since Smith first pitched it.
"It's totally unconstitutional," Martin Olszynski, an associate professor at the University of Calgary’s faculty of law, said last month.
"It is it is completely, totally incompatible with both our constitution, and also with just our basic form of government," he said of the act.
In her overview of the proposal, Smith referred to criticism as "knee-jerk opposition" because the bill has yet to be written.
In response to Kenney’s most recent criticism of the idea, Smith team says his attacks sound "a lot like Justin Trudeau and Rachel Notley talking points."
"Danielle hopes he eventually realizes this and reconsiders his opposition," said a statement sent to CTV News on Tuesday afternoon.
"If Danielle is victorious on Oct. 6, she plans on reaching out to the premier and discussing how they can work together to unite the party. She is hopeful that he will use his energies to leave a lasting legacy of unity, rather than one of division. She sincerely thinks he still has a lot to offer in that regard."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau government proclaims annual day against gun violence
The federal government is proclaiming a National Day Against Gun Violence, to be held annually on the first Friday of June. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and representatives of the Toronto Raptors basketball team are set to discuss the plans today at an event in Toronto.

'I heard a cracking noise': 16 children, 1 adult injured in platform collapse at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar
Seventeen people – most of whom are young students – were hospitalized after a falling from a height during a field trip at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar. However, many of the children are now being discharged and sent home, according to an update from the hospital.
Special rapporteur Johnston rejects call to 'step aside' after majority of MPs vote for him to resign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's efforts to assure Canadians that his government is adequately addressing the threat of foreign interference took a hit on Wednesday, when the majority of MPs in the House of Commons voted for special rapporteur David Johnston to 'step aside,' a call Johnston quickly rejected.
Latest Russian missile bombardment of Kyiv kills at least 3, including a child
The latest pre-dawn Russian missile attack on Kyiv killed at least three people Thursday, including a 9-year-old child and her mother, Ukrainian officials said.
After sailing though House on bipartisan vote, Biden-McCarthy debt ceiling deal now goes to Senate
Veering away from a default crisis, the House overwhelmingly approved a debt ceiling and budget cuts package, sending the deal that U.S. President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy negotiated to the Senate for swift passage in a matter of days, before a fast-approaching deadline.
Jordan's royal wedding day gets underway with surprise arrival of Prince William and Kate
Jordan's highly anticipated royal wedding day got underway on Thursday with the surprise announcement that Prince William and his wife Kate had arrived to witness the nuptials of Crown Prince Hussein and his Saudi Arabian bride.
Danny Masterson convicted of 2 counts of rape, 'That '70s Show' actor faces 30 years to life
'That '70s Show' star Danny Masterson was led out in handcuffs from a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday and could get 30 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty on two of three counts of rape at his second trial, in which the Church of Scientology played a central role.
5 things to know for Thursday, June 1, 2023
A new day for Canadians to mark on the calendar, MPs call on special rapporteur David Johnston to resign, and Canadian consumers are more indebted than ever.
United States blanks Canada 3-0 in world para hockey championship
The United States shut out Canada 3-0 in the world para hockey championship Wednesday to hand the host country its first loss of the tournament.