Alberta Says Judge’s Criticism of Petition Bill Amounts to Interference

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Justice Minister Mickey Amery announce proposed changes to several pieces of democratic process legislation, in Edmonton on April 29, 2025. The Canadian Press/Jason Franson

The Alberta government says a provincial judge’s comment on a new bill aimed at removing barriers to citizen-initiated petitions interferes with the democratic process.

Heather Jenkins, press secretary to Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery, was referring to a Dec. 5 decision by Court of King’s Bench Justice Colin Feasby in which he noted that Bill 14, the Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, could potentially silence the court.