EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government says it is planning to introduce legislation that would allow it to ignore international agreements signed by Ottawa.
Smith’s office says it’s an issue of due process.
Her office says as it stands, the federal government isn’t required to consult Alberta on signing international accords, even if they include commitments that fall under provincial jurisdiction, such as health care.
It says the government plans to table legislation that would “protect its authority” to enforce any international treaty.
It adds the legislation would be similar to a long-standing framework in Quebec.
University of Alberta law professor Eric Adams says it’s not clear what Alberta is seeking through legislation, given that provinces already have, under the Constitution, some control over implementing agreements that involve areas of provincial jurisdiction.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2025.
