Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wants to strategize on provincial sovereignty with Quebec’s premier

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has reached out to Quebec Premier François Legault to discuss asserting their provincial sovereignty in a letter she penned last month. In her letter, Smith expressed her desire to collaborate with Legault to pave the way for a new era in Canadian federalism.

The initiative stemmed from recommendations put forth in a report commissioned by the Quebec government last year, which outlined various ways the province could strengthen its provincial authority. The six-person panel made 42 recommendations, including the adoption of a Quebec constitution, the establishment of Quebec citizenship, and the enactment of legislation to safeguard against federal interference in provincial matters.

Smith voiced her support for at least eight of the Quebec panel’s recommendations in her letter to Legault. She specifically endorsed Quebec’s requests for constitutional amendments that would prioritize Quebec property law over federal law and mandate the federal government to appoint superior court judges from candidate lists provided by the province.

Additionally, Smith expressed interest in Quebec’s proposal to hold a public debate whenever the notwithstanding clause is set to expire, a concept she finds appealing for Alberta as well. She emphasized the importance of elected legislatures having the final say on rights subject to parliamentary sovereignty clauses, rather than federally appointed judges.

Smith also offered to share insights on the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, which empowers the Alberta legislature to take defensive action against federal initiatives deemed detrimental to the province’s interests. She underscored the common ground between Alberta and Quebec in countering federal overreach into exclusive provincial jurisdictions.

In a statement, Smith highlighted the shared interests between Alberta and Quebec in enhancing provincial autonomy and expressed her willingness to collaborate with Legault towards this goal. While Legault’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, political science professor Frédéric Boily commended Smith’s letter as a strategic move to advocate for Alberta’s interests without hinting at separation from Canada.

Despite affirming her lack of interest in a referendum on Alberta independence, Smith acknowledged the legal avenues available for citizens to pursue such a course if desired. She has previously pledged to convene a panel to explore options in response to federal environmental policies that could impact Alberta’s economy negatively.

The timing of Smith’s letter to Legault, coinciding with the federal election campaign, adds an intriguing element to the discussion. Boily noted that the initiative could also serve as a message to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has reportedly refrained from publicly endorsing conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in the election. Boily suggested that Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe might align with Smith’s stance on provincial autonomy.

In the broader political landscape, Boily indicated that Smith’s collaboration with other premiers on provincial autonomy could be advantageous for the Conservative party led by Poilievre, while posing challenges for the Liberals and Mark Carney. The initiative reflects a concerted effort by Smith to advocate for Alberta’s interests and foster partnerships with like-minded provincial leaders.