Kenney says notion of Alberta Sovereignty Act is ‘crazy’

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Premier Jason Kenney says the idea of ​​promoting an Alberta Sovereignty Act to challenge controversial federal policies risks making the province a “laughing stock” in Canada.

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Kenney dismissed the proposal, a growing Conservative talking point and a key piece of United Conservative Party leadership candidate Danielle Smith’s campaign, as “crazy” in response to a question on her weekly radio show on Saturday. .

“The proposal is that Alberta basically ignores and violates the Constitution in a way that is unprecedented in Canadian history. Not enforcing the laws of the country, including federal laws, which includes the Penal Code, is insane,” Kenney said.

Smith, considered one of the leading candidates in the party’s leadership race, has promised to introduce legislation that would allow Alberta to ignore federal laws, court rulings and regulatory decisions that the provincial legislature opposes.

“We have always been treated as if we should only provide the revenue to the rest of the country and we should just shut up and go along with the policies that swallow us,” Smith said in a social media post last month.

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“We’re not going to do that anymore. We are going to assert our rights under the Constitution and back down.”

In a statement this week, Smith cited the federal carbon tax, a proposed reduction in fertilizer use by farmers, and emissions caps in the energy sector as federal policies that no provincial agency would enforce under the Carbon Act. Alberta Sovereignty.

Kenney said such a “blatantly illegal” bill would almost certainly not win the approval of the lieutenant government or survive a court challenge if it passes the legislature.

“It would never become law. Alberta would become a laughing stock, with the lieutenant governor doing her job, which is to ensure that the law, the Constitution, is upheld,” she said.

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Kenney cited published analysis by Howard Anglin, his former top secretary, who called the proposal a “political and legal hoax” that undermines investor confidence.

“We should be talking about real, practical ways to fight unjust policies, to fight for a stronger Alberta and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” Kenney said.

Smith, who has dismissed repeated criticism of the proposed legislation, suggested that a sovereignty law would give Albertans rights and freedoms similar to those given to Quebec.

“If they don’t invade our territory and they don’t invade our jurisdiction, we will never need to invoke it,” he said in the video that has been viewed 49,000 times.

“We need a new relationship with Ottawa so they know we’ve had it, we’ve drawn a hard line and they can’t pressure us anymore.”

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The prime minister declined to answer on Saturday when asked about the UCP caucus’ growing support for Smith, who this week received backing from two more cabinet ministers, or the tone of the party’s leadership race.

“I’m just not going to go into it, it’s not my job. I am not going to become a commentator of color in the leadership election,” she said.

In May, announcing his resignation, Kenney said he would remain prime minister until a new leader is chosen.

On Saturday, the premier told listeners he was willing to stay on as Calgary-Elbow MLA after leadership is decided in October.

“It is my intention to remain in the (legislature) for at least a period of time,” he said. “I don’t want to force a by-election for sure, but some of that will depend on the next leader.”