Alberta Premier Defends Plan to Withhold Funding for New Federal Judicial Appointments 

Alberta Premier Defends Plan to Withhold Funding for New Federal Judicial Appointments 
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith holds a press conference at the Legislature in Edmonton on Dec. 10, 2025. The Canadian Press/Amber Bracken
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government’s proposal to withhold funding for new judicial appointments is intended as a negotiating tactic with the federal government, aimed at securing greater input over the selection process.

Smith made the comments on Feb. 7 during her weekly call-in radio show, where she said her threat to withhold funding is a “negotiating position” aimed at obtaining an outcome that is “fair” to Alberta.