The Alberta government says it will introduce amendments to the province’s Bill of Rights this fall to strengthen protections for gun and property rights and add the right to refuse vaccinations and other medical procedures.
Premier Danielle Smith announced plans to introduce legislation in the coming weeks to “amend and strengthen” the Alberta Bill of Rights, an act declaring the rights and civil liberties of residents in the province. Smith said the proposed changes will ensure the act continues to serve its purpose in an “ever-changing world.”
“These changes are a reaffirmation of the values that make Alberta one of the freest jurisdictions on earth. They are about protecting our rights, our freedoms, and our way of life,” Smith said in a Sept. 24 video posted on platform X.
“We are sending a clear message that in Alberta, the rights of individuals are paramount, and that government must respect those rights at every turn.”
Smith said one of the amendments will allow Albertans to refuse to undergo medical procedures, such as vaccinations. The premier said recent years have demonstrated the “challenges and hardships” that arise when bodily autonomy is not “adequately protected,” referring to COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
“No Albertan should ever be subjected or pressured into accepting a medical treatment without their full consent,” she said. “In Alberta, we believe that individuals have the right to make informed decisions about their own bodies without fear of undue pressure or interference by government.”
Another amendment would also declare that Albertans can’t be deprived of their property without due process of law and fair compensation. Smith said this was a “reaffirmation” of the right to own property that Albertans have “worked so hard for.”
A third amendment would reinforce Albertans’ right to legally acquire and use firearms. Smith said she thinks law-abiding gun owners have been treated unfairly by the federal government “for decades,” and that firearms are essential to the livelihood of many people in her province.
“It is my hope that these amendments will better protect the rights of our farmers, ranchers, hunters and sport enthusiasts going forward,” she said.
The Alberta Bill of Rights protects fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and association. It also guarantees human rights, such as the right to liberty, equality before the law, and the right of parents “to make informed decisions respecting the education of their children.”
The bill with the proposed amendments will be debated in the fall session of the legislature in November.
