Sawhney: Smith, if elected, must seek passage of the Sovereignty Act in a general election

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UCP leadership contender Danielle Smith says that if she is selected as prime minister she will pass a law that gives Alberta the supremacy to ignore any federal law or policy we don’t like. She calls it “sovereignty.” It’s a kind word for separation.

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This proposal, despite its tempting political appeal to some, is an unconstitutional distraction guaranteed to enrich many lawyers. It provides no value to Albertans beyond beating our chests and pretending we’re doing something to show those cowardly feds.

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She claims that it is not unconstitutional. At least, that’s what she’s saying now. A co-author says it is unconstitutional on purpose. barry cooper He says that’s the whole point. He calls the act “the last stop before independence.” Another co-author of the act is Smith’s campaign co-chairman, Rob Anderson.

The point is to stir up a wasp nest. The point is to get everyone talking about constitutional clauses and jurisdictional disputes instead of solving the tough issues that most Albertans are concerned about.

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Is it unconstitutional? No one knows for sure because he won’t show us the written minutes. Is it even written? If so, why is it secret?

No matter. Constitutional or unconstitutional, this act will turn our province upside down.

Not sure about that? Ask Quebec. When Quebec started talking about sovereignty, corporate headquarters fled. People fled. A stir ensued.

The same would happen in Alberta, perhaps worse because we are very dependent on foreign investors. I worked for two decades in the energy industry in Alberta. When you invest in multi-billion dollar projects, you need political certainty. You want laws that don’t change in the middle of your multi-year build or multi-decade business. You want to know what laws will apply. He wants to know that skilled workers will continue to live here, the tax regime will be stable, and subcontractors will not close their doors.

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Smith believes that all this uncertainty would be worth it because we would be in charge of the chaos.

I do not agree

This Law of Sovereignty could change everything.

When investments and jobs disappear, so does the income they generate. That’s revenue we intend to use to improve our health care system, ensure our education system is the best in the world, support the most vulnerable, and invest in the new knowledge industries and workers of the future.

All of that could be gone. Voters should be demanding a voice.

That is why in this week’s debate I demanded that if Smith becomes Prime Minister, she should postpone passage of the Sovereignty Act until she gets a mandate from the people of Alberta in a general election.

If elected, Smith must submit her bill to our legislature so we can see the exact wording and discuss its impact. However, the legislature should not pass it until all Alberta voters participate.

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I demand that you agree to do so.

I also ask my fellow leadership contenders, and all MLAs, to pledge not to vote on the bill until their constituents have voted.

Now, here’s the risk of doing that.

I don’t think Albertans want to split up.

I also don’t think Albertans want to spend the next few years arguing with Ottawa over the drafting of Canada’s Constitution, with endless lost appeals to the Supreme Court, as the “last stop before independence.”

Instead, Albertans want their government to focus on our quality of life – improving the services we need to update, modernize and improve. These include health, education, affordability, support for the vulnerable, investment in modern technologies and industries, and environmental responsibility. Albertans want their government to ensure that our critical industries of energy, agriculture and forestry continue to thrive while meeting modern expectations.

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Should we defend Alberta and stand up for our rights as is already written in the Constitution? Yes absolutely. Threatening sovereignty or independence is the riskiest way to do it.

If asked, I think Albertans will say “No thanks” to spark a protracted constitutional battle. Therefore, we run the substantial risk of electing a Rachel Notley government.

I don’t think that’s the right choice for Alberta’s future. But that’s the path Danielle Smith is recklessly following.

Rajan Sawhney, MLA from Calgary-North East, is running for the leadership of the United Conservative Party and Premier of Alberta.