Much as I would like to see a bonfire of Sylvestre's signatures, I would prefer Elections Alberta to check them for fraudulent names from the voters list. Or maybe the RCMP could do it since EA has so much other BS to handle. I want to see criminal charges laid against any volunteer who produced fraudulent signatures.
Smith is still sucking up to the separatists and I still think she is one herself, since she chose to surround herself with them. Anyway she lacks the guts to stop helping them.
How can anyone even think about a separatist referendum and not think about Indigenous Canadians? We're all trying to do Reconciliation here and then this thing comes up and "Whoops?" No, it's more than a "Whoops", I bet they deliberately left them out. I bet the New Alberta is all white people. :/
Yes, I think they picture themselves as a country of boring white men keeping their white women barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. Not very appetizing to most of us.
I worry about the possibility that the loons in Smith's government will bay and howl for the province to invoke the Notwithstanding Clause, thereby giving the Charter and Indigenous peoples, not to mention the country as a whole, the middle finger.
However, like you, I'm glad to see that the Alberta Court hoisted Smith and company, including the Chief Electoral Officer, on their collective petards.
Contrary to popular belief, Section 33 (the "notwithstanding clause") is not a free pass to violate the constitution, and if they try that stunt on treaty rights, get ready for the court battle of the century.
(There are a lot of terrible lawyers advising this government. Chosen more for their loyalty than their competence, it seems. The hallmark of totalitarian governments.)
I see some real lawyers on twitter opining that Rath and Chipiuk did not make a good legal case in court, also that the UCP's legislative changes did not achieve the probable purpose of aiding the separatists' arguments.
The notwithstanding clause only applies to specific clauses in the Charter. The protection of Indigenous rights is not among them. There is no ambiguity, the NWS would not work in this instance.
I wish someone COUGH Carney COUGH would BURY that stupid referendum under the Canadian Shield, or even give it to Hansen to take to space. Separatism doesn't belong in Canada, we have enough polarization that's separating us right now. Ugh :/
I think that the Prime Minister and all those who oppose this are all quite happy to watch Mme Smith and company drown in the torrent of their own making.
Though I would hasten to add that among all those who have been spinning up "the need" for a referendum, she may end up alone on the beach, still standing, as she watches the others flail like various bits of flotsam and jetsam in said torrent.
If we are going to "crack down" on foreign interference, then let's use some broad strokes and admit that there is interference in our political affairs from many foreign countries. There was a public inquiry into such things in Ottawa and where did that get us? A secret list exists of MPs who have either wittingly or unwittingly been party to foreign actors meddling but what is happening to those MPs? The Liberal government promised a foreign lobbyist registry to identify those from foreign countries who are lobbying our politicians, but where is it?
This is a problem far beyond the borders of Alberta, and let's be honest about it.
"It will be interesting to see if Smith can be measured in her political response, given previous efforts to undermine the judiciary’s reputation and standing in the province, and the presence of separatist elements in her UCP." Thank-you, WW.
I personally would like to see this federal government support Alberta's 48 First Nations in any direct and public way at all, and especially about this separatist matter.
But to do so would raise the feds apparent lack of support for them when it comes, e.g. to a new pipeline.
Sadly, I expect this federal government will avoid showing public support for those (or any) First Nations.
I have been worried about the lack of response from the feds about foreign interference not just in Alberta, but across the country. It is blatantly obvious, even the CBC called it out. And yet, the most we have seen from Carney to counter foreign interference and separation is his attempt to placate Smith and bring her back to reality with the promise of yet another dilbit pipeline through BC. Which many in BC do not support.
Much as I would like to see a bonfire of Sylvestre's signatures, I would prefer Elections Alberta to check them for fraudulent names from the voters list. Or maybe the RCMP could do it since EA has so much other BS to handle. I want to see criminal charges laid against any volunteer who produced fraudulent signatures.
Smith is still sucking up to the separatists and I still think she is one herself, since she chose to surround herself with them. Anyway she lacks the guts to stop helping them.
How can anyone even think about a separatist referendum and not think about Indigenous Canadians? We're all trying to do Reconciliation here and then this thing comes up and "Whoops?" No, it's more than a "Whoops", I bet they deliberately left them out. I bet the New Alberta is all white people. :/
Yes, I think they picture themselves as a country of boring white men keeping their white women barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. Not very appetizing to most of us.
And you, on the other hand are so knowledgeable, wise, and brave. Ha!
How perspicacious of you.
I give Penny credit...for encouraging me to give you a thumbs up.
Ignore the troll.
And how very Pecksniffian of you!
No no, the canting sanctimony is all Smith's.
ha ha ha ha - so true
Nope! You have more than your share.
Try not to be so umble.
I worry about the possibility that the loons in Smith's government will bay and howl for the province to invoke the Notwithstanding Clause, thereby giving the Charter and Indigenous peoples, not to mention the country as a whole, the middle finger.
However, like you, I'm glad to see that the Alberta Court hoisted Smith and company, including the Chief Electoral Officer, on their collective petards.
Contrary to popular belief, Section 33 (the "notwithstanding clause") is not a free pass to violate the constitution, and if they try that stunt on treaty rights, get ready for the court battle of the century.
(There are a lot of terrible lawyers advising this government. Chosen more for their loyalty than their competence, it seems. The hallmark of totalitarian governments.)
Smith's chief of staff Rob Anderson is a lawyer, a fellow floor crosser with Smith, and a separatist. I doubt his legal advice is good.
I see some real lawyers on twitter opining that Rath and Chipiuk did not make a good legal case in court, also that the UCP's legislative changes did not achieve the probable purpose of aiding the separatists' arguments.
Amateurs.
The notwithstanding clause only applies to specific clauses in the Charter. The protection of Indigenous rights is not among them. There is no ambiguity, the NWS would not work in this instance.
Thank you for weighing in.
I wish someone COUGH Carney COUGH would BURY that stupid referendum under the Canadian Shield, or even give it to Hansen to take to space. Separatism doesn't belong in Canada, we have enough polarization that's separating us right now. Ugh :/
I think that the Prime Minister and all those who oppose this are all quite happy to watch Mme Smith and company drown in the torrent of their own making.
Though I would hasten to add that among all those who have been spinning up "the need" for a referendum, she may end up alone on the beach, still standing, as she watches the others flail like various bits of flotsam and jetsam in said torrent.
If we are going to "crack down" on foreign interference, then let's use some broad strokes and admit that there is interference in our political affairs from many foreign countries. There was a public inquiry into such things in Ottawa and where did that get us? A secret list exists of MPs who have either wittingly or unwittingly been party to foreign actors meddling but what is happening to those MPs? The Liberal government promised a foreign lobbyist registry to identify those from foreign countries who are lobbying our politicians, but where is it?
This is a problem far beyond the borders of Alberta, and let's be honest about it.
Democracy, but only with the consent of the "First Nations".
Don't understand how Indigenous Treaties work, huh?
Liberal madness with the Supreme Court as full enabler.
"It will be interesting to see if Smith can be measured in her political response, given previous efforts to undermine the judiciary’s reputation and standing in the province, and the presence of separatist elements in her UCP." Thank-you, WW.
I personally would like to see this federal government support Alberta's 48 First Nations in any direct and public way at all, and especially about this separatist matter.
But to do so would raise the feds apparent lack of support for them when it comes, e.g. to a new pipeline.
Sadly, I expect this federal government will avoid showing public support for those (or any) First Nations.
I have been worried about the lack of response from the feds about foreign interference not just in Alberta, but across the country. It is blatantly obvious, even the CBC called it out. And yet, the most we have seen from Carney to counter foreign interference and separation is his attempt to placate Smith and bring her back to reality with the promise of yet another dilbit pipeline through BC. Which many in BC do not support.