The announcement of this bill comes amid heightened tensions between Alberta’s new Prime Minister and the federal government. Since her return to politics last fall, Danielle Smith has been firing red balls at Ottawa, accusing it of meddling in a number of areas and passing her controversial Alberta Sovereignty Act.
We see federal employees trespassing on private land in Alberta. We don’t think it’s appropriate and we will make it a criminal offense. We’ve seen problems with water quality inspectors in particular. If they break in and enter, they will be charged, House Speaker Joseph Schow said Wednesday morning.
However, the Justice Department disagreed later in the day.
Although there have been no confirmed cases of burglaries and burglaries by federal government employees in Alberta, concerns have been raised by landowners over events in Saskatchewan in 2022, when a landowner saw a burglary, writes Justice Department spokesman Ethan Lecavalier-Niere.
A review of our break-and-entry laws, which already apply to individuals and businesses, shows they could be strengthened to extend to the federal government, he adds.
Such a bill could be challenged in court because it would prevent federal employees from performing their duties.
I haven’t heard a good reason to introduce this law or what problem the government is trying to solve here,” said NDP opposition house leader Irfan Sabir.
In a democratic system, all levels of government should work together. This administration’s approach has been to blame others for their own failures and not focus on the real problems, he adds.
According to him, the United Conservative government should focus instead on the rising cost of living, health and access to education.
A law protecting the use of firearms
The United Conservative government will also introduce another bill to protect Albertans from the federal gun confiscation program and establish a regulatory system that promotes the safe and responsible use of firearms, Joseph Show said.
The House Speaker referred to the mandatory buyback program for 1,500 types of assault weapons banned by the federal government.
This program was introduced after the 2020 shootings in Portapique, Nova Scotia, in which the shooter used a civilian version of an assault rifle.
However, the program has been harshly criticized by many hunters, farmers and conservative governments.
When asked about Alberta’s ability to legislate gun control, which is a federal jurisdiction, Joseph Show avoided the question. It is important to enshrine our rights as a province in law and to codify the responsibilities of the chief firearms officer [de l’Alberta]he said.
A short but intense legislative period
The legislative period lasts only until the end of March and is enlivened by the presentation of three bills and budget appropriations.
The United Conservative government will also present its bill detailing the new fiscal framework. With a few exceptions, he wants to ban the country from deficits, limit the increase in operating expenses, limit the increase in tuition fees to 2% per year and modify the repayment terms for student loans.
The burglary and trespassing bill on private property will be included in a omnibus bill. It will also affect irrigation, wanted criminal benefits and registrars. It will also expand presumptive coverage of workers’ compensation for firefighters involved in the 2016 Fort McMurray fire.