Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet said in light of the proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act, he believes it "might be a good idea" for Alberta to become an independent nation.."Alberta should call a referendum for its people, and if they vote yes, that's the end to it," Blanchet told reporters on Wednesday..Alberta Premier Danielle Smith introduced the 'Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act,' to the Alberta legislature on Tuesday. This would give Alberta cabinet ministers the powers to identify any federal legislation harmful to the province and introduce a motion in the legislature in invoke it..The province would be able to “stand up to federal government overreach and interference" in areas of provincial jurisdiction, including private property, natural resources, agriculture, firearms, economic regulations, and the delivery of health and education.Blanchet said if Alberta tries to establish its sovereignty "halfway" it will face a challenge by the Supreme Court of Canada."Of course, it's very popular sport in Ottawa to challenge provincial laws in courts," Blanchet added.The Bloc leader suggested Alberta should define itself as a nation, adding "I hope oil is not the definition." After that, Blanchet said the people of Alberta could then decide whether they want to secede from the rest of Canada."Because anybody that does feel that they are a [sovereign] people are entitled to self-determination."Blanchet said if Smith were to succeed in making Alberta into its own country, he would be "a bit jealous." But he warned that before Alberta's secession, it would need to clearly define its territory, values and language."We know that Quebec does go with success [sic] with any of those parameters. I'm not certain Alberta does, but it does not belong to me.Blanchet clarified he did not think Alberta was trying to declare its own independence, but said he thought they were trying to show "they have big arms, and that might be challenged.""The prime minister of Canada himself likes to show that he has big arms. Maybe he does not either."
