Alberta Sovereignty Act to Be Tabled as Bill 1: UCP Government House Leader

Joseph Schow stands with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith after being sworn into cabinet as House Leader in Edmonton on Oct. 24, 2022. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

EDMONTON—The Alberta legislature is back in session Tuesday, with the province’s new premier, Danielle Smith, at the helm and the introduction of the much anticipated Sovereignty Act, which will “defend Alberta from Ottawa,” according to Government House Leader Joseph Schow.

The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act will be Bill 1 tabled on Nov. 29. It will be retroactive and it is expected that Smith will tell ministers to review all federal policies and legislation for “overreach” into provincial jurisdiction. Resolutions will be expected by early spring to address any identified issues, and responding actions the province may take could include retribution against federal laws, legal challenges, and outright refusal to comply.

The legislature has a little over three weeks before Christmas, and Smith has said that the priority for the remainder of the fall session will be on legislation related to affordability and cost-of-living issues.

Jurisdiction

Schow said at a press conference on Nov. 28 that Bill 1 “will send a clear message that we will defend and promote our province’s prosperity and constitutional jurisdiction.”

“This legislation will enable us to protect Albertans from federal laws, policies, and practices that harm our economy or our jurisdiction,” he said.

One area he identified that would be addressed is the fertilizer cap set by the federal government. Other potential areas of federal intrusion into the province may be the proposed federal cap on oil and gas emissions and the contentious federal gun ban.

Schow also said a bill will be brought forward on Nov. 29 to deal with “adverse possession.” In layman’s terms, he said, the government will be revoking “squatter’s rights” with new property rights legislation, which was a campaign commitment.

Other bills anticipated to be addressed in the next three weeks include Bill 2, focusing on inflation relief, and Bill 3, which deals with funding contract with doctors.

Smith has not been in the legislature since 2015.