Alberta Plans Legislation to Not Enforce International Agreements Signed by Ottawa Unless Province Approves

The government of Alberta plans on introducing legislation that would allow it to refuse to enforce international agreements signed by Ottawa, such as the recent World Health Organization pandemic pact, unless the provincial legislature votes them into law.

Premier Danielle Smith directed her deputy minister of international and intergovernmental affairs, Liam Stone, to develop the legislation in her Sept. 25 mandate letter. The ministry is headed by Smith.

Smith’s press secretary, Sam Blackett, told The Epoch Times in an email that the province wants to assert that Alberta has the final say on matters under provincial jurisdiction.

“Alberta seeks to clarify that international agreements entered into by the federal government with subject matter that falls within provincial jurisdiction are only binding and enforceable in Alberta if passed into law under provincial legislation,” Blackett said in the email.

He said that Quebec already has a similar type of legislation in place. Blackett also noted that there was no formal agreement in place between the provincial and federal governments that requires consultations with the provinces over international agreements or treaties.

He said one such agreement would be the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement, which could impact healthcare, an area of provincial jurisdiction.

Smith has taken a number of measures to advance greater provincial autonomy. Shortly after she became premier in 2022, she enacted the Sovereignty Act, which her government says will allow the province not to follow federal legislation it deems to be under provincial jurisdiction. She has also clashed with the federal government on energy policies, and taken court action on certain legislation she says violate provincial jurisdiction, including the Impact Assessment Act.

Smith recently reiterated demands to Ottawa that she gave to Prime Minister Mark Carney shortly after he was elected. Smith has asked Ottawa to remove the cap on emissions in the oil and gas sector, end the Impact Assessment Act (which she calls the “No New Pipelines” law), and remove the oil tanker ban on the B.C. coast.

Smith said the changes would “immediately turn our economy around, create hundreds of thousands of jobs and generate trillions in wealth for Canadians without spending a single tax dollar.”

Smith has also been hosting town hall meetings in several areas around the province as she tours with the Alberta Next Panel, which is seeking input from Albertans on provincial autonomy and challenges with Ottawa.

Carney has said his government has passed legislation to fast-track approval for major projects, and that his government is working for the benefit of all provinces, including Alberta. He says his government’s legislation for expediting certain major projects and removing federal barriers to internal trade will bring more opportunities for Canadians.

“My government will spare no effort to make sure that the people of Alberta, the people of Canada, realize those opportunities,” he said.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.