Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he will stay focused on jobs and the cost of living for Albertans now that the provincial government has introduced controversial legislation that a federal minister has called a threat to national unity.
The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, which was introduced in the Alberta legislature on Tuesday, was a centerpiece of Premier Danielle Smith’s campaign for the leadership of the United Conservative Party government this autumn
The bill outlines how the Alberta government plans to refuse to enforce federal legislation, policies or programs it decides are “harmful” to Alberta’s interests or violate the separation of powers in the Constitution . It would also give Smith’s cabinet new powers to bypass the legislative assembly and unilaterally change provincial laws.
In recent weeks, Smith has called the proposed bill a “constitutional shield” to protect Albertans from perceived jurisdictional incursions by the federal government.
Trudeau did not offer an opinion on the legislation when asked about it Tuesday afternoon before introducing the bill. Instead, the prime minister said he would remain focused on jobs and the economy.
“That’s what Albertans are focused on, that’s what I’m going to stay focused on,” Trudeau told reporters outside the House of Commons.
Alberta MP says act is ‘attack on national unity’
But Randy Boissonnault, Alberta’s tourism minister and MLA, was more forthcoming with his thoughts on the event.
“I am deeply concerned about what is the Alberta government’s attack on Canadian unity,” Boissonnault said.
“My appeal to the Prime Minister and her ministers is that we work together.”
Tourism Minister and Associate Finance Minister Randy Boissonnault stands during question period in Ottawa on November 25, 2022. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc said he would wait to read the legislation before commenting on it.
“We’re not running around looking for fire alarms and looking for arguments and hassles,” LeBlanc said, adding that even after introducing the legislation, it still has to pass the Legislature.
“This is a long road, but we will continue to have … positive and constructive conversations with the Alberta government.”
Past challenges to federal laws
Before Smith took over as premier from Jason Kenney, the Alberta government challenged a number of federal laws in court, most notably the legislation allowing for the federal carbon tax.
In March 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the tax in a 6-3 decision despite a legal challenge from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Smith said in October that he would challenge the law again.
Alberta has also challenged a federal environmental assessment law that allows federal regulators to consider the effects of large construction projects, such as pipelines, on a range of environmental and social issues, including climate change.
The Alberta Court of Appeal struck down the impact assessment law, formerly known as Bill C-69, in May, but the The Supreme Court has yet to assess.
The proposed sovereignty law may also create tensions with the province’s indigenous communities.
Indigenous relations fall under federal jurisdiction and all treaty chiefs in Alberta are under federal jurisdiction publicly oppose the idea of an act of sovereignty.
“Prime Minister Smith wants to do an act of sovereignty. Well, we certainly didn’t sign a treaty with her. If Canada doesn’t agree with them, let them resolve these issues. Don’t use our territories,” Regena Crowchild. , said the Tsuut’ina 7 Nation Treaty Advisor at a press conference earlier this month.