Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act
2022 Canadian provincial legislation / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, commonly known as the Alberta Sovereignty Act, is an act introduced on November 29, 2022, the first day of the fall sitting of the 4th Session of the 30th Alberta Legislature by the Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, and passed on December 8, 2022.[1][4][5] The act seeks to protect Alberta from federal laws and policies that the Alberta legislature deems to be unconstitutional or harmful to Albertans or the province's economic prosperity, in areas such as natural resources, gun control, COVID-19 public health, education, and agriculture.[4][6][7]
Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act | |
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Legislative Assembly of Alberta | |
Territorial extent | Alberta |
Passed by | Legislative Assembly of Alberta |
Passed | December 8, 2022 |
Royal assent | December 15, 2022 |
Legislative history | |
Bill title | Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act |
Bill citation | Bill 1 |
Introduced by | Premier Danielle Smith |
First reading | November 29, 2022[1] |
Second reading | December 6, 2022[2] |
Third reading | December 8, 2022[lower-alpha 1][3] |
Status: In force |
The act directs "political entities"—including municipalities, school boards, municipal police forces, and regional health authorities—to not enforce "federal rules deemed harmful to Alberta's interests."[8][9] A proposed use of the act would be triggered when a member of the Executive Council tables a motion in the Legislative Assembly identifying a specific federal law or policy that may be considered to be unconstitutional, in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or harmful to Albertans.[6] After a Legislative Assembly debate on the merits of the resolution, all members would take part in a free vote on the "impugned law, ruling or regulatory decision".[6][10] If passed, the resolution would be reviewed within two years.[11]
Several law experts and professors said that the act could be unconstitutional.[10][12] Treaty 6, 7, and 8 chiefs immediately stated their opposition to the act through news conferences and in public statements and criticized the government for not consulting with them.[13][14] Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley also stated her opposition to the act.[15] A December 2022 Leger poll said that 32% of Albertans agreed that the act was "necessary to stand up to the federal government", against 42% who disagreed.[16]
The Alberta Sovereignty Act was a key component of Smith's campaign when she successfully contested the United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership election in 2022, contributing to her election as UCP leader and appointment as Premier of Alberta.[17][18]