Alberta UCP Votes to Put Forward Amendments to Sovereignty Act

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, along with cabinet ministers, speaks at a press conference after members were sworn into cabinet in Edmonton on Oct. 24, 2022. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press

EDMONTON—The United Conservative Party, which leads the Alberta government with a majority, said on Dec. 5 it is putting forward two amendments to Bill 1, the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, to clarify clauses that raised public concerns.

The party said it will change the bill to ensure any changes that the cabinet makes to laws under the sovereignty act will be done in the House with debate and approval. The amendment will specify that any changes to laws cannot be made in secret. The party also voted to change the act to clarify when cabinet can take action on federal policies or legislation that could be harmful to Albertans.

The amendments have not been published yet, but with the amendment, harm would be more narrowly defined by Bill 1 as anything a majority of the legislature deems to be unconstitutional federal intrusion into provincial areas of responsibility.

On Dec. 4, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, in an interview with Mercedes Stephenson, host of The West Block show on Global News, said she understood there were concerns and it required the legislation be clarified as it goes through readings in the legislature.

Clarification

“The intention has always been to make sure that anything we do, any action we take, has been fully debated by those ... who represent the interests of the people of Alberta,” Smith said.

The premier said enactments are in two forms: statutes and regulations. Cabinet has the ability to make ministerial orders, to make changes in regulations, to do directives, to make changes in policy, she said.

“I think we just have to be very clear that any statutory change has to return to the legislature. That was always the intention. If that’s not clear, then I may have to just make some amendments to make sure that it’s underscored,” said Smith.

NDP Opposition Leader Rachel Notley was critical. “She either got caught in her attempt to seize power and is now desperately scrambling to cover that up, or she literally didn’t know what was in her bill and very possibly still doesn’t,'' Notley said during question period Monday.

Smith said there is a process. Legislation is put forward and goes through multiple readings, and amendments are made when needed. “I want to make sure that we get this bill right and I’m grateful that my caucus is going to propose amendments to do that,” said Smith.

“We’ve been acting like a subordinate level of government to Ottawa, just because Ottawa introduces something doesn’t mean they have a right to do that,” said the premier. “If Ottawa wants to have a constructive relationship with our province, and I want to have a constructive relationship with Ottawa, they have to stay in their own lane. “