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SovereigntyContested

The Sovereignty Act lets Alberta refuse to enforce any federal law it considers harmful.

Stated by: Government of Alberta

Summary

The Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act, passed in 2022, lets the legislature pass motions directing provincial bodies to stop helping enforce federal initiatives it deems unconstitutional or harmful. Whether that is legally valid is genuinely disputed: some scholars say it usurps the courts' role and is unconstitutional, others say it just restates a province's existing right not to administer federal programs. The Act itself states it cannot be used to defy the Constitution or to separate from Canada.

Evidence

Last reviewed: May 30, 2026