Alberta judges urge respect after Smith said she wants to ‘direct’ them

Alberta’s judges are calling for respect days after Premier Danielle Smith said she wishes she could direct them.

Alberta’s three chief justices say in a rare public statement that democracy only functions when all three branches of government operate independently and respect each other’s role.

A Court of Justice spokesperson says the statement is aimed at addressing public misunderstandings but declined to link it specifically to the premier.

Smith has made a series of statements in recent months criticizing what she calls “activist” and “unelected” judges while expressing concern the courts are undermining the decisions of elected leaders.