Alberta Premier Smith Says Province Won’t Fund Appointment of New Judges Unless Ottawa Allows More Input on Selection

Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith listens during the first ministers meeting closing news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Jan. 29, 2026. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province will not provide funding for new judicial appointments unless Ottawa allows Alberta more input and influence over who is chosen for provincial courts and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Smith announced the planned withholding of funding in a Jan. 23 letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and reiterated the province’s position in a Feb. 3 news release.