18 Comments
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David Krieger's avatar

Again Ms Young, simply wonderful words. Although certainly far from being expert, I do know how the legal and law system works and who has the say. Our constitution is and always has been clear on that,

Up here in NE Alberta the local press is off again on Equalization as if doing away with Equalization ( a constitutional challenge) will give Albertans and Alberta companies a preferred lower federal tax rate! Do away with Equalization tomorrow and our progressive tax system will not save all those rich companies nor any Albertans one penny. Yet most think we Albertans actually pay an Equalization tax similar to the carbon tax. Ah, our ignorance is scarey

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DD.'s avatar

Amazing work Lisa.

We’re all glad you’re head of the class cause we’re all here to learn.

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Kathleen's avatar

Kazaam!! Well done Professor Lisa!

Wow, and they push for 'home-schooling'. I can't imagine ... just another strong reason for continuous education. I keep pondering two criteria that should be added to the suitability for public office: 1. no criminal record; 2. High School Diploma - minimum.

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Tris Pargeter's avatar

Wait a minute, aren't black hats worn by the bad guys?

And as far as their "activism" on their apparently limited "rights," didn't they support the convoy that parked in front of the PM's office in Ottawa with "F**k Trudeau banners festooning their big rigs while they spewed diesel fumes and blared their horns for THREE WEEKS before they were forced to go home? Where in the world do you get more rights than THAT?

And about the burning resentment (or "festering rancour" as one cartoon in the Globe so aptly described it) didn't their United Clown Posse somehow WIN the last election?

Ah, the conservatives, so predictably churlish and ever graceless, even in victory.

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Tom Wilson's avatar

But, but didn't this government declare they would not enforce ANY federal legislation of which they disagreed …?

I tried to fight my HTA speeding ticket using that government assertion as justification for ignoring the law however the judge had to be revived, she was laughing so hard. (/s)

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Wayne Stewart's avatar

Go get them Lisa.

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Barrie Chivers's avatar

No doubt the bill will include a “not withstanding” clause.

Perhaps given the patent absurdity of this comical exercise, the federal government might even be tempted to exercise its constitutional power of Disallowance! Hopefully the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta will decline to sign and will refer it to Ottawa for consideration of Disallowance!

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Erna Carter's avatar

More Albertans should be reading this. Thanks

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Don Ray's avatar

Excellent and hilarious analysis! Now if only we could have gotten Smith, UCP members and members of the TBA cabal to have stayed awake during the 8am Poli Sci classes....

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Anonymous's avatar

The United Clown Posse was riding

One dark and windy day

They got bucked off their horses

And their black hats blew away....

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Sheila Newel's avatar

Interesting article. I have a question though. If a provincial government overrides federal legislation, what mechanism (besides election) is in place to enforce the federal government’s legislative powers.

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Lisa Young's avatar

Great question, Sheila. I suspect it would go something like this. An Alberta resident is charged with a firearms offence under the Criminal Code. They plead not guilty and go to court arguing that the provincial Bill of Rights guarantees their right to bear arms. The court would almost certainly rule that the provincial legislation did not override the Criminal Code. The Alberta resident would be found guilty. Alternatively, the federal government could initiate a reference case asking if the provincial legislation was "ultra vires" (outside its constitutional jurisdiction). Again, pretty likely that the courts would rule that it was.

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Sheila Newel's avatar

Thank you for responding. I understand; that makes sense.

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Garry Grant's avatar

The supreme court of Canada perhaps?

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Anonymous's avatar

What are the UCP? All black hats and no cattle. The SCOC (Supreme Court Of Canada) will knock down the UCP if they get out of line. Count on it.

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MARGARET SETO's avatar

An amazing and informative lecture.

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Lee Neville's avatar

The UCP Medicine Hat declarations are the result of a circle huffing some skookum Pakowki Lake black market ditch weed. Or the incessant westerly breezes have driven the members clinically insane. I can’t wait for a true believer up on federal criminal charges to plead the AB Bill Of Rights booshwah before Kings Bench to get laughed out of court and into jail.

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Bob McInnis's avatar

I am not a lawyer and do not play on on TV or in my imagination, notwithstanding I expect that dog whistles and catfishing would be used just like the author did here.

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