Premier Danielle Smith tabled the International Agreements Act following the fall speech from the throne on Oct. 23, saying it forms part of her administration’s broader effort to ensure Alberta’s sovereignty and future prosperity.
“We will defend our constitutional rights, protect our province’s interests and make sure decisions that affect Albertans are made by Albertans,” Smith said. “The federal government stands at a crossroads. Work with us, and we’ll get things done. Overstep, and Alberta will stand its ground.”
The proposed law requires that any global treaties or international agreements signed by Ottawa have no effect in Alberta unless legislated into law by provincial lawmakers. Alberta is comparing it to Quebec legislation that went into effect in 2000 which provides that no international agreement in areas under Quebec’s jurisdiction is binding unless the province’s consent has been formally expressed by the province’s National Assembly or the provincial government.
The bill would replace the province’s existing International Trade and Investment Agreements Implementation Act, which is intended to exempt Alberta from having to implement international agreements in the trade and investment sector unless approved by the province. The province says the proposed law would give Alberta the legal right to opt out of international agreements in all areas under the control of the province including health care and education, in addition to natural resources.
Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental and International Relations Liam Stone said the proposed bill will give Alberta clear rules on assessing how international pacts clash or align with Alberta’s constitutional rights.
Smith’s press secretary Sam Blackett told The Epoch Times last month that one international agreement which may raise questions over provincial jurisdiction is the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement since it relates to health care, which is under provincial control. The agreement has not yet been formally ratified or adopted by Ottawa.
Since becoming premier in 2022, Smith has pursued various measures aimed at boosting Alberta’s provincial power, including the passage of the Sovereignty Act in December 2022, which the provincial government says gives Alberta the right not to enforce federal law or policy that the legislature considers harmful to Alberta’s interests or unconstitutional.
Smith has also clashed with Ottawa on energy and environmental policies, launching court challenges against legislation such as the Impact Assessment Act and stating her opposition to a number of laws that she says are holding back Alberta’s economic potential.
