By The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

Alberta First Nations leaders against premier’s sovereignty plans

Nov 18, 2022 | 9:06 AM

First Nations leaders in Alberta say they stand in solidarity against Premier Danielle Smith’s planned sovereignty legislation.

The chiefs of Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8 say they will work together to oppose the bill and its “Alberta First” agenda.

The chiefs say they will hold a news conference today in Edmonton to assert their inherent rights and jurisdiction over their lands and territories.

Alberta’s justice minister has said the sovereignty act will challenge unconstitutional federal encroachments on areas of provincial jurisdiction and will be the first bill introduced in the legislature in the coming weeks.

Richard Feehan, Alberta NDP Critic for Indigenous Relations, issued the following statement on the Sovereign Treaty Chiefs rejection of Danielle Smith’s Sovereignty Act:

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“We’ve been having conversations with the Chiefs of Treaty Six, Seven and Eight, and have been hearing their very serious concerns about Danielle Smith’s Sovereignty Act.

“This is just another glaring example of the many things that are so wrong with the UCP government.

“From the very moment Danielle Smith promised this would be her first piece of legislation, Albertans have been very vocal in their opposition to this damaging bill.

“Albertans don’t want this act that will only rain down more chaos, conflict, and costs onto Alberta families.

“Despite the fact that legal scholars at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary have also determined it to be unconstitutional, Smith continues to champion an act that will only cause harm to Albertans when she should be focusing on the most pressing issues that are impacting families right now – a crisis in health care and the high cost of living.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2022.

The Canadian Press

(With files from rdnewsNOW)