Alberta became independent of the federal laws of Canada. What would that change?
The Independence Act was passed early Thursday morning after amendments. Every Alberta resident is proud to be Canadian but believes such a law is necessary.
The Alberta Legislature passed the controversial Provincial Sovereignty Act. The act was signed into law after minor amendments that removed the provision for Premier Smith and her cabinet to bypass the legislature and rewrite laws as they saw fit.
But at the same time, the Sovereignty Act gives Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her cabinet the right to adjust any federal policy, law or program they deem harmful to the province.
Under the new law, the Alberta government may not be subject to federal laws. For example, Alberta has a large concentration of oil and refineries. In 2018, the federal government announced a carbon tax on air emissions. The government and residents of the province negatively received this incident. Now taxes can be adjusted to suit their interests.
Some parliamentarians disagreed with the law, fearing disruption of the democratic process and reduced investment in the business.
Hoffman said, "This bill undermines democracy and damages our economy and our national and international reputation.
One in three Alberta residents thinks the law is necessary. According to a Leger poll released last week, 32 per cent of Alberta residents agree that a sovereignty law is required to oppose the federal government. And the province will only benefit as a result.
Alberta Prime Minister Danielle Smith has announced a reset in relations with Justin Trudeau and his government.
