VOTERS HAVE THEIR SAY ON UCP’S “CONSTITUTIONAL SHIELD” AGAINST OTTAWA

Albertans will make a historic choice in the May 2023 provincial election: Whether to support the United Conservative Party (UCP)’s signature law, the Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act, or look for other ways to protect the province’s interests.

The government of Danielle Smith, who won the race to replace Jason Kenney as UCP leader in October by advocating stronger pushback against Ottawa’s tightening grip in areas of provincial jurisdiction, passed Bill 1 in December, after removing a provision that gave the provincial cabinet the power to bypass the legislature and rewrite laws.

The Act will be used “to stand up to federal government overreach and interference in areas of provincial jurisdiction, including in the areas of private property, natural resources, agriculture, firearms, regulation of the economy and delivery of health, education and other social programs,” Premier Smith said.

“Albertans are proud Canadians, and we love our nation dearly. The Canadian Constitution is clear that the federal and provincial governments are equals, each with our own areas of exclusive jurisdiction. The Act will be used as a constitutional shield to protect Albertans from federal overreach that is costing Alberta’s economy billions of dollars each year in lost investment and is costing Alberta families untold jobs and opportunities.”

Smith has already tasked cabinet ministers to use the Act. A top target is the federal government’s C-69, or Impact Assessment Act, dubbed by critics as the No More Pipelines Law. Its expanded regulations and timelines have discouraged new energy projects.

The Alberta Act is controversial inside and outside the province. It was opposed by Smith’s top leadership rivals, who favoured other ways to advance Alberta’s interests.

Rachel Notley, leader of the NDP opposition, said she would immediately revoke the “job-killing” law if elected.

“This act is only creating instability and uncertainty in our economy at a pivotal time. We simply cannot afford this,” Notley said. Instead, “We will maintain the most competitive general tax rate in the country while establishing and re-establishing and enhancing tax incentives focused on new growth and new jobs.” Those include re-instating the Alberta Investor Tax Credit and the Interactive Digital Media Tax and creating a “future tax credit” to attract large capital projects in “emerging industrial sectors.”

Meanwhile, the Onion Lake Cree Nation, an Alberta Indigenous band, said it would challenge the Act in the courts, alleging it breaches its treaty and constitutional rights.

Others believe the Alberta law, and Saskatchewan’s similar Saskatchewan First Act are a response to Ottawa’s ‘culture war’ against the provinces.

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