Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act
Alberta passes law claiming right to ignore federal laws deemed unconstitutional, challenging Canadian federalism.
🔍 An in effect Transparency policy from November 2022 · Well sourced
Updated · Created
"Protecting Alberta's Jurisdiction"
The Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act gives the legislature tools to push back against federal overreach that harms Alberta's economy and constitutional rights.
"I hope we never have to use this bill. I hope that we sent a message to Ottawa that we will vigorously defend our constitutional areas of jurisdiction and they should just butt out."
— Danielle Smith, November 2022
"Legislature Can Override Federal Law"
The Act allows Alberta's legislature to direct provincial agencies to ignore federal laws it deems "harmful" — bypassing the courts entirely. Constitutional experts called it an unprecedented attack on the rule of law and federalism.
- Original bill allowed cabinet to rewrite laws without legislature approval — amended after outcrysource
- 34 legal scholars signed open letter calling it unconstitutionalsource
- Used to block federal emissions cap and fertilizer reduction targetssource
- Creates template for other provinces to selectively ignore federal authoritysource
This section represents editorial interpretation of documented evidence.
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