Critics, supporters of Alberta sovereignty act protest outside legislature

More than 100 people gathered outside the Alberta legislature Sunday to rally against – and in support of – the Alberta sovereignty act.

The bill was introduced last week by Premier Danielle Smith as the signature legislation of her new administration.

“This is not just a case of a crazy premier, it is the case of a dangerous premier, a dangerous government, and a dangerous piece of legislation,” said Gil McGowan, the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour.

It has faced widespread condemnation for granting Smith and her cabinet sweeping authority to redress any federal policy, law or program it deems harmful to Alberta.

“She’s actually harming Albertans’ interests,” said protester Haruun Ali, the co-chair of the group Alberta’s Democracy.

“She’s taking away rights from our federal government who was duly elected and giving it to, to be frank, to one centralized power.

“She’s essentially subverting the role of the courts, by allowing her government to determine what is against Albertans’ interests. That is such a vague statement, anything could be against Albertans’ interests.”

‘Stand up for Alberta’ 

It’s a bill some people do support. On Sunday there were also counter-protesters who told CityNews they supported the legislation because Alberta is willing and able to take responsibility into its own hands.

“It is time that we stand up for Alberta,” said Benita Pedersen, who organized the counter-protest. “Ottawa has been overstepping in many ways and the sovereignty act is about Alberta standing in its own jurisdiction in my issues.

“Not only does Alberta stand for freedom, Alberta is willing and able to take responsibility. We don’t technically need anything from Ottawa, we can stand on our own two feet, and it’s now time for Ottawa to pay attention to that and the Alberta sovereignty act is one step towards them paying attention.”

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MORE ON ALBERTA SOVEREIGNTY ACT:

• Alberta premier says she’s open to sovereignty bill amendments to add clarity
• Alberta’s NDP wants Smith to assess Sovereignty Act’s economic impact
• Alberta deputy premier says sovereignty act not a power grab, eyes changes to bill
• Alberta premier rejects accusations her sovereignty bill is undemocratic power grab
• ‘Very worrisome’: Reaction to Alberta’s sovereignty act bill pours in

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Premier Smith says her caucus will be making amendments to the act this week after receiving criticism for a clause in the bill that would give the cabinet powers to make decisions for the province without having to go through the legislature.

Smith says this was never her intention, clarifying decisions will always go through the legislature.

Bill must be revoked: NDP

However the Alberta Opposition NDP says amendments aren’t enough, and says the bill must be revoked in its entirety.

“Provincial governments have the mechanisms and the tools to be able to challenge the federal government when they overreach,” said Deron Bilous, the Alberta NDP’s economic development critic. “We did it when we were in government, and we did it successfully, so this bill is not necessary.

“Stakeholders have been telling us for months that the mere notion of the Sovereignty Act was putting a chill on investment and harming the potential creation of good-paying jobs and then the bill came and it was far worse than we could have imagined.”

In a statement to CityNews, the Office of the Premier responded to the NDP’s claims.

“It’s disappointing to see the NDP vote against Bill 1 before seeing it or to propose any amendments they feel would strengthen the Bill, which shows they’re not willing to stand up for Albertans against the Trudeau-Singh coalition’s continuous attacks on our economy and provincial rights.

“As the NDP should know, the primary purpose of the legislative process in the Assembly, including amending bills in Committee of the Whole, is to implement feedback from Albertans to strengthen and clarify proposed government legislation before it is voted on.”

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