Alberta Lieutenant-Governor Salma Lakhani says she would not give royal assent to any bill that's unconstitutional, referring to UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith's Alberta Sovereignty Act..The act would permit the province to refuse enforcement of federal laws it believes are against Alberta's best interests..Lakhani told mainstream media (MSM) Thursday her constitutional role is the most important part of her job and that Alberta must follow the rule of law.."This is where we keep checks and balances," she told MSM reporters at an unrelated event outside the Alberta legislature.."I'm what I would call a constitutional fire extinguisher. We don't have to use it a lot, but sometimes we do have to use it."."I appreciate very much the rule of law. I think we all have to guard it. We have to respect it, and we have to also guard democracy. These are gifts," Lakhani said..UCP leadership candidate Brian Jean fired back at Lakhani on Twitter.."I am extremely uncomfortable with the lieutenant governor getting political," Jean said.."That said, Danielle Smith's lack of clarity on this issue is already causing a constitutional crisis. To end this controversy, Smith must produce the text of the Sovereignty Act before UCP members vote.".The Western Standard reached out to the Smith campaign for comment. One was not received by press time.
