'Incredibly unnerving': Calgary mayor slams proposed Alberta sovereignty act
Calgary mayor Jyoti Gondek says she wishes more thought would've gone into Danielle Smith's first move as premier.
Gondek questioned the United Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act on Wednesday, just one day after Smith introduced her flagship bill in the legislature.
"The sovereignty act, which is completely undefined right now, really puts us into a tailspin," Gondek told reporters. "I don't know that the (provincial) government itself knows exactly what this holds."
Under the proposed legislation, cabinet would have the power to direct provincial entities -- including Crown-controlled organizations, police, health authorities, municipalities and school boards -- to not use provincial money to enforce federal rules deemed harmful to Alberta's interests.
Smith has said the bill is needed to reset Alberta's relationship with Ottawa.
Gondek disagrees.
"While they are seeking some form of justice for what they feel is unconstitutional, our rights are being stripped away," she said.
Some speculate the bill could act as a catch-all disturber for any idea the province disagrees with.
That's a claim the UCP caucus denies.
And while an amendment that went out Wednesday promises any changes must first be introduced, debated, voted on and passed by the legislative assembly, critics fear the bill will still give Smith and her cabinet the power to rewrite provincial laws behind closed doors.
"It has big impacts on municipalities, and as someone who is the mayor of a major centre, I'm a little bit concerned that there was really no consultation with us before this was brought forward," Gondek said.
Calgary's mayor says the city's legal team is looking at the act. She hopes more information will be provided by Smith soon.
"It's incredibly unnerving," she said when asked about the Chamber of Commerce claim the bill may drive away investment. "Our economy is at a place where we are ready to rebound, but the more disruption that you throw at us, the worse that it makes it."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.