CALL AN ELECTION
SMITH HAS NO RIGHT TO GOVERN
Demonstrators rally against sovereignty act at Alberta legislatureStory by Matthew Black • Yesterday
Demonstrators gathered in front of the Alberta legislature building on Sunday afternoon in a show of opposition to the provincial government’s recently introduced sovereignty act.
Protestors gather during an anti sovereignty act rally at the Legislature in Edmonton Alberta, December 4, 2022.© Provided by Edmonton Journal
Premier Danielle Smith introduced the Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act as her government’s flagship Bill 1 last Tuesday.
The bill, described as a “constitutional shield” against federal intrusion, drew criticism for also granting cabinet the unusual power to change legislation with an order in council, typically something reserved only for regulatory changes.
Protest organizer Haruun Ali says the act shows the government has the wrong priorities.
“Effectively their first action as government, especially during cost of living crisis, isn’t to act on that, but it’s a fight to Ottawa — a fight that Albertans do not want.”
On Saturday, Smith said on her weekly radio show that the section of the bill granting that power to cabinet would be overhauled.
“I think there’s some confusion on that, so we’re working on some amendments to make it clear,” Smith said to listeners.
Related
Smith introduces flagship Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, giving cabinet new power
Alberta government attempts clarification as NDP calls sovereignty act anti-democratic
She initially had defended the provision as necessary to reset the province’s relationship with Ottawa, “b ecause we’ve been ignored.”
Speaking outside the legislature Sunday, Ali said the bill should not have been introduced in the first place.
“It was a reckless provision that was completely unnecessary and really diverges from the actual intent of the legislation,” he said.
Ahead of Sunday’s protest, Opposition economic development critic Deron Bilous renewed the NDP’s call for Smith to revoke her own legislation.
“This bill is beyond saving,” Bilous said, adding his party would not support amendments to the legislation.
“We will not support undemocratic legislation that is already hurting our province’s economy and reputation.”
The bill passed first reading last week with votes mirroring party lines.
mblack@postmedia.com
Twitter @ByMatthewBlack
Counter protesters chant during an anti sovereignty act rally at the Legislature in Edmonton Alberta, December 4, 2022.© Jason Franson
Gil McGowan, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour gets into it with a counter protestor during an anti sovereignty act rally at the Legislature in Edmonton Alberta, December 4, 2022.© Jason Franson
Competing protests in Edmonton show diverging opinions over proposed Sovereignty Act
Story by Emily Pasiuk • Yesterday 5:46 p.m.
Around 90 people gathered at the Alberta Legislature on Sunday to protest Premier Danielle Smith's proposed Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act. A counter-protest of roughly the same size also took to the grounds, in support of the controversial legislation.
The bill, introduced Tuesday by Smith as the signature legislation of her new administration, has faced widespread condemnation for granting her and her cabinet sweeping authority to redress any federal policy, law or program it deems harmful to Alberta.
For days after Smith introduced the bill, she and her cabinet members rejected accusations, including from legal and constitutional scholars, that the bill granted unchecked power to cabinet.
On Saturday, Smith told her Corus radio talk show that her sovereignty bill was never supposed to give cabinet such sweeping authority, adding her government wants to make it clear in law that this is not the case.
"The premier will be will be speaking to her caucus on Monday about potential amendments to ensure this fact is crystal clear in the final legislation when it is ultimately voted on in third reading," a statement from Smith's office reads.
Haruun Ali, an organizer of the protest against the bill, said he was happy to see Smith reviewing this portion of the act.
"However, what we also want to see is a full rollback of this bill because honestly speaking, the government is trying to salvage this bill and salvage their agenda but it's not working," he said in an interview Sunday.
"We really, truly hope and believe that we can get this bill revoked."
Haruun Ali, an organizer of the protest against the bill, said he wants to see a 'full rollback' of the proposed Sovereignty Act.© Caleb Perreaux/CBC
Ali said that he thinks Albertans need help on issues like the cost of living and health care instead of having the government's focus on fighting Ottawa.
Another organizer, Chad Ohman, echoed Ali's hope that the government would hear their demands.
"There are significant problems with the bill as it's presented now. I personally believe the bill really should be revoked," he said Sunday.
"It's an entire attack on our democracy."
Story by Emily Pasiuk • Yesterday 5:46 p.m.
Around 90 people gathered at the Alberta Legislature on Sunday to protest Premier Danielle Smith's proposed Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act. A counter-protest of roughly the same size also took to the grounds, in support of the controversial legislation.
The bill, introduced Tuesday by Smith as the signature legislation of her new administration, has faced widespread condemnation for granting her and her cabinet sweeping authority to redress any federal policy, law or program it deems harmful to Alberta.
For days after Smith introduced the bill, she and her cabinet members rejected accusations, including from legal and constitutional scholars, that the bill granted unchecked power to cabinet.
On Saturday, Smith told her Corus radio talk show that her sovereignty bill was never supposed to give cabinet such sweeping authority, adding her government wants to make it clear in law that this is not the case.
"The premier will be will be speaking to her caucus on Monday about potential amendments to ensure this fact is crystal clear in the final legislation when it is ultimately voted on in third reading," a statement from Smith's office reads.
Haruun Ali, an organizer of the protest against the bill, said he was happy to see Smith reviewing this portion of the act.
"However, what we also want to see is a full rollback of this bill because honestly speaking, the government is trying to salvage this bill and salvage their agenda but it's not working," he said in an interview Sunday.
"We really, truly hope and believe that we can get this bill revoked."
Haruun Ali, an organizer of the protest against the bill, said he wants to see a 'full rollback' of the proposed Sovereignty Act.© Caleb Perreaux/CBC
Ali said that he thinks Albertans need help on issues like the cost of living and health care instead of having the government's focus on fighting Ottawa.
Another organizer, Chad Ohman, echoed Ali's hope that the government would hear their demands.
"There are significant problems with the bill as it's presented now. I personally believe the bill really should be revoked," he said Sunday.
"It's an entire attack on our democracy."
ANTI TRUDEAU (SR. & JR.) TORIES
Counter-protesters say Ottawa is 'overstepping'
Benita Pedersen, with All Fired up for Freedom, turned up as part of the group of counter-protestors and said she's in favour of the bill.
"Ottawa has been overstepping in many ways and the Sovereignty Act is simply about Alberta standing in its own jurisdiction on many issues," she said.
"We don't technically need anything from Ottawa."
The federal government provides money to provinces to help fund a broad variety of things including housing, transportation, legal aid and post-secondary education.
Counter-protesters also gathered in Edmonton on Sunday.© Caleb Perreaux/CBC
Pedersen was a grassroots organizer of COVID-19 public health measure protests and attended the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa earlier this year.
She added that she appreciated seeing protesters with a different opinion than her, and said it's through conversation between people with different viewpoints that problems are solved.
Opposition response
Despite Smith saying she wants to tweak the bill, the NDP said in a statement Sunday that the bill is "beyond saving."
"It must be revoked. It must be stopped," NDP economic development critic Deron Bilous said in a statement.
"I'm here today to make it clear that Alberta's NDP will not support amendments to this legislation. We will not support undemocratic legislation that is already hurting our province's economy and reputation."
The government said in its statement that it's "disappointing" the NDP won't vote for the bill or propose amendments to it.
Counter-protesters say Ottawa is 'overstepping'
Benita Pedersen, with All Fired up for Freedom, turned up as part of the group of counter-protestors and said she's in favour of the bill.
"Ottawa has been overstepping in many ways and the Sovereignty Act is simply about Alberta standing in its own jurisdiction on many issues," she said.
"We don't technically need anything from Ottawa."
The federal government provides money to provinces to help fund a broad variety of things including housing, transportation, legal aid and post-secondary education.
Counter-protesters also gathered in Edmonton on Sunday.© Caleb Perreaux/CBC
Pedersen was a grassroots organizer of COVID-19 public health measure protests and attended the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa earlier this year.
She added that she appreciated seeing protesters with a different opinion than her, and said it's through conversation between people with different viewpoints that problems are solved.
Opposition response
Despite Smith saying she wants to tweak the bill, the NDP said in a statement Sunday that the bill is "beyond saving."
"It must be revoked. It must be stopped," NDP economic development critic Deron Bilous said in a statement.
"I'm here today to make it clear that Alberta's NDP will not support amendments to this legislation. We will not support undemocratic legislation that is already hurting our province's economy and reputation."
The government said in its statement that it's "disappointing" the NDP won't vote for the bill or propose amendments to it.
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