Guilbeault Says Ottawa Won’t Challenge Alberta’s ‘Symbolic’ Use of Sovereignty Act

The environment minister had accused Alberta Premier Danielle Smith of creating ‘fear and uncertainty’ by invoking her province’s sovereignty act.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, on Nov. 20, 2023. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the government has no plans to challenge Alberta’s “symbolic” use of its new sovereignty act in response to Ottawa’s Clean Electricity Regulations (CER).

“Premier [Danielle] Smith said herself yesterday that the sovereignty act is a largely symbolic gesture. You don’t take someone to court for something that’s symbolic,” Mr. Guilbeault told reporters in Ottawa on Nov. 28.