Katherine Kowalchuk, a family lawyer in southern Alberta who's running to lead the Independence Party of Alberta, sat down with the Western Standard to discuss the "better deal" Albertans can expect with more independence..The wife, mother, and step-mother of four children practiced law in Alberta for more than 20 years, with the last eight focused on family law. .In 2020, she co-founded Lawyers 4 Truth, a legal advocacy group designed to work against government overreach and support people with referrals to lawyers to fight the infringements on Canadian's rights and freedoms. .Kowalchuk said it's become abundantly clear to her "our governments have acted dishonestly" and they, along with the courts, "abrogated their duty" to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms for Albertans and Canadians. .Kowalchuk has been openly opposed to the COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates throughout the pandemic, and said it's what motivated her to move into the political landscape. She said what she's observed has her fearful for her children's future. ."I've been paying attention for quite some time now, even prior to COVID, about the trajectory of where our society is going and, quite honestly, I don't personally agree with where it's going in many respects," said Kowalchukl. ."And so I felt it was necessary to pivot from my advocacy, not necessarily as a lawyer because I'm still a full-time lawyer and I am still advocating from that perspective, but I realized that I needed to do something different which included, in my belief, a political solution.".Kowalchuk said the party is primarily advocating for a referendum on independence for Alberta and "giving back to Albertans a voice so they are the decision makers in their own destiny," which she found appealing. .She said the referendum is a "legal and viable option to increase our negotiating power" within confederation. ."Ultimately, I'm prepared, and the independence party is advocating for and prepared to leave Canada," said Kowalchuk. ."Which means Alberta would become a constitutional republic — its own country — and would have the exact same services ... provincial police force, its own pension and public services, the same as you would have right now as a citizen of Canada." .Kowalchuk said her work to help negotiate settlements for families dealing with difficult situations and the "true, human-to-human connection" involved, will be influential in her successfully leading the Independence Party of Alberta. ."We're trained to know and understand the legislation and really do a thorough cost-benefit risk analysis for their client," said Kowalchuk. ."We're trained to look at all angles of a particular issue, regardless of what it is, to help our clients make their own informed decision about the instructions that we receive.".She said she's proud of the fact more than 90% of her cases are resolved outside of court through negotiations and a mediation process. . Katherine KowalchukKatherine Kowalchuk, family lawyer and leadership candidate for the Independence Party of Alberta ."That is really what I would bring to the table with respect to what really is, essentially, a divorce from Canada." .Kowalchuk said she believed she demonstrated to Albertans through her advocacy over the last two years she's not only dedicated to securing a better deal for Albertans, but said she has the courage to take on the federal government in doing so. ."Living in a society where the laws are respected, the rule of law is enforced, and that people are held accountable is very important to me," said Kowalchuk. ."I really believe that because I've been outspoken and I'm passionate about this issue and about making sure Alberta is the best province and most prosperous province possible, that my personality and integrity stands for itself." .Kowalchuk said an independent Alberta would gain leverage with Ottawa to change the province's equalization payments and allow Alberta to take more control if its economy. .Some of the first steps Kowalchuk would take if she became Alberta's next premier would be to launch a "robust independent inquiry" into AHS' handling of the COVID-19 response along with the decision makers involved. .She would also "address the bureaucracy" in Alberta and look to reduce government overreach..She said she would repeal what she called "problematic" legislation such as the Public Health Act, which gave Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw the power to enact public health orders during the pandemic, mandating several restrictions and lockdowns across the provinces. ."The fact that a bureaucrat was given that much authority must never happen again," she said. .Kowalchuk said she will also work to eliminate censorship and "restore parental and property rights." .Financially, Kowalchuk said Albertans would prosper with independence as it would do away with federal taxes, the carbon tax, equalization payments, and allow Alberta to better control and market its natural resources. .The main concern Kowalchuk said she hears from Albertans when discussing independence from Canada is "fear of uncertainty" and "not understanding what the benefits are around independence and also, of course, their Canadian identity." ."That's a big one and I understand that. But, at the same time, it doesn't mean that they have to not be Canadian. Alberta just needs to do something different," she said. .Kowalchuk said she believes the idea of independence is the "only tool that will be effective in giving us the leverage we need to open up the constitution" and believes it's the best strategy to get the federal government to "come to the table with ears to listen." .The Independence Party of Alberta's leadership vote is happening September 10. The deadline to purchase a party membership to be eligible to vote is before midnight Saturday August 20. .Kowalchuk said she's excited to be participating in the leadership race and encouraged Albertans who want to support the party's movement and vote in the leadership race to become a member before the deadline Saturday and vote September 10..Her website has more information on Kowalchuk's platform and links through to the Independence Party of Alberta website and options to purchase memberships and donate.
