Barnes supports Bill 1 despite ‘too much power’

By COLLIN GALLANT on December 9, 2022.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

The Alberta Sovereignty Act – the marquee piece of legislation from new Premier and recently elected Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Danielle Smith – has passed with the voice of support from neighbouring independent MLA Drew Barnes.

The controversial bill passed third reading at 12:45 a.m. on Thursday following a shortened debate by a count of 27-7.

Many of the 87 MLAs were absent from the late night session, including Barnes who did not vote on the final motion.

Earlier, though, the Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA – who left the party after complaining publicly about the power welded by the cabinet of Jason Kenney – said the bill “gives too much power to cabinet.”

“Bill 1 is a bill I personally support, as do most Albertans and many residents of Cypress-Medicine Hat,” said Barnes, but felt there was need to “clear up legitimate concerns” by reducing the unilateral authority of cabinet to challenge federal government.

Legal observers have criticized the bill stating it would not stand legal challenge, while the opposition NDP stated it created uncertainty for investors while the government has more pressing issues to deal with.

Smith has remained resolute about the constitutionality, and accused the NDP of scaremongering.

“I find it so remarkable that they’ve been talking about investment like capital flight,” said Smith in brief remarks at the end of debate.

But Smith did agree to some amendments late last week after complaints arose about cabinet’s authority under the act.

Barnes proposed having cabinet’s course of action referred back to a legislature vote for final approval, but that was defeated.

“My support for strengthening Alberta’s autonomy has never wavered,” Barnes said in an address to the legislature, saying he pushed for stronger action following the Fair Deal committee and campaigned to reopen the equalization formula during a provincial referendum in 2021.

“More importantly I want this legislation to work for Albertans. It needs to be widely accepted and supported by the public.

“It will grant cabinet too much power. We can do much better and much better than the what the government has proposed”

Any changes dealt with by council “even when they are made at the assembly’s request, must be ultimately be ratified again by the assembly.”

“What makes a stronger statement, an order delivered by cabinet following a closed-door meeting, or the democratically expressed wishes of the people’s representatives?”

Critics of the bill, officially known as the Alberta Sovereignty withing a United Canada Act, kept up the criticism on Thursday.

“The act still attempts to give Smith and her cabinet the power to decide what the Constitution says, and that has always been in the jurisdiction of the courts,” Opposition Leader Rachel Notley said at a midday press conference. She called for the bill to undergo an Alberta Court review before it is signed into law.

“Worse, it will leave people and businesses in Alberta subject to two separate sets of rules at the same time. It creates huge uncertainty,” she said.

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