Shandro gun announcement shows how Sovereignty works

In mid-September (2022), Premier Jason Kenney openly disagreed with UCP leadership hopeful Danielle Smith over Smith’s proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act (ASA). Kenney said the legislation would be destabilising, unconstitutional, and a disaster for Alberta. Kenney’s former principal secretary levelled similar accusations, which Kenney happily quoted: it should be called “the Alberta suicide act.” Kenney went as far as to besmirch the original authors of the idea for a sovereignty act, calling them an extreme right-wing group. Himself accused of meddling in the selection of his successor, Kenney reminded everyone that as premier his job is “to defend the vital interests” of Alberta, thereby suggesting that the proposed ASA would do the opposite.

A week later, Alberta Solicitor General Tylor Shandro gave notice to the federal government and to the RCMP of Edmonton’s intention not to cooperate with Ottawa’s plan to dispossess Albertans of lawfully procured firearms. Shandro dismissed the …