The Sovereignty within a United Canada Act proposed by Premier Danielle Smith was approved by the Alberta legislature around 1 a.m. this morning.
With a majority, the United Conservative caucus approved an amendment stating that the Alberta legislature will have the final say regarding lawmaking.
Following party lines, the final vote was 27-7, with the UCP voting in favour and the opposition NDP voting against.
There were a few changes made to Bill 1 before the amendment passed, including taking out a provision that allowed the cabinet power to rewrite laws and skip the legislature.
The UCP government hopes to use the act to address what they see as federal government overreach and interference in areas of provincial jurisdiction, including in the areas of private property, natural resources, agriculture, firearms, regulation of the economy and delivery of health, education and other social programs.
Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley is calling on Danielle Smith to immediately refer her Sovereignty Act to the Alberta Court of Appeal for a ruling on its constitutionality before the Act is proclaimed and officially becomes law.
The federal government is going to work as constructively as possible with Alberta, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
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Sat, Apr 27, 9:00 AM
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