Danielle Smith Calls Courts “Undemocratic” After They Read the Law Out Loud
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says democracy works best when no one is allowed to check it, especially judges, courts, or anyone who can read the Charter.
Speaking on her weekend radio call-in show, Smith said Albertans seeking an independence referendum should not face “gatekeepers,” a category she clarified includes the judiciary, the chief electoral officer, and anyone who asks inconvenient constitutional questions. Her comments followed new government legislation that would conveniently stop a court case examining whether Alberta can legally vote itself out of Canada.
Smith defended giving Justice Minister Mickey Amery broad discretion to approve referendum questions, describing the move as “deeply democratic” and not at all like letting one cabinet minister decide reality.
“Courts approve questions they like and delay the ones they don’t,” Smith said, adding that democracy means everyone gets a voice, provided that voice has already been approved by cabinet.
The remarks came a day after Justice Colin Feasby warned an independence vote would clash with the Charter, treaty rights, and Alberta law – all of which Smith reportedly categorized as “procedural negativity.”
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