Alberta premier, justice minister continue push for change to judicial appointment process

Alberta’s government is continuing its campaign to change how judges are appointed to the country’s highest courts, with the premier and her justice minister urging Ottawa to open the door to constitutional reform.

Speaking at the legislature Monday afternoon, Danielle Smith said the province is seeking amendments that would give provinces direct input into appointments to the Supreme Court of Canada, federal appeals courts and the Court of King’s Bench.

She argued the change would “strengthen public confidence in the justice system and ensure provinces have a meaningful voice in appointments that shape how justice is delivered in their community.”

Smith had previously co‑signed a letter to the prime minister alongside the premiers of Ontario, Saskatchewan and Quebec, pressing for a new role in selecting judges for the country’s top courts.

She also sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney in January, saying her government would withhold funding for new judicial appointments in Alberta until Ottawa allows input.

Shawn King of the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association said the proposal appears to be aimed at gaining influence over courts with the power to strike down provincial laws.

“From what I gather here, the provinces want more control over the level of court that actually has the ability to strike down their laws,” King said. “And the federal justice minister has already said no.”

The Canadian Bar Association, which represents 5,000 lawyers, judges, and others in the legal system, has also expressed opposition to Alberta’s proposal.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery, however, insisted momentum is building.

“What you have now are four provinces who are all joining together to tell the federal government the current process is simply not working,” he said.

The UCP plans to introduce a motion in the legislature this week formally calling for the constitutional amendments.