Tag Archives: Alberta Court of Appeal

Politics

Alberta Premier’s address to the province

Press release from the Government of Alberta

My fellow Albertans

Tonight I wish to speak with you about the debate we are having in this province on the future of Alberta and Canada.

Last week, an Alberta judge released a decision finding that the citizen initiative petition organized by the group “Stay Free Alberta” on the issue of Alberta separation, is unconstitutional because, in the judge’s view, there was not adequate consultation done with a First Nation’s band about the potential effect of the petition on their treaty rights. This ruling fundamentally misinterprets the nature of the duty to consult, which was never meant to prevent citizens from making their voices heard through a democratic process.

Now, I want to be clear. I support Alberta remaining in Canada. That is how I would vote on separation in a provincial referendum. It is also the position of my government and caucus.

Continue reading Alberta Premier’s address to the province →
Energy

Challenge to federal law that poses ‘existential threat’ to Alberta goes to Supreme Court

By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Supreme Court of Canada this week will examine whether the federal law that evaluates the impacts of proposed resource projects is unconstitutional.

The Impact Assessment Act (IAA) looks into the environmental, health and economic impacts of proposed resource projects — like pipelines and mines — and came into force in 2019 when the federal government passed Bill C-69.

Soon after, the Alberta government brought a legal challenge against the law and its regulations, arguing it was federal overreach encroaching on provincial jurisdiction. The Alberta Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the provincial government in May 2022, calling the IAA an “existential threat” to the provincial right to control and develop resources.

Continue reading Challenge to federal law that poses ‘existential threat’ to Alberta goes to Supreme Court →