Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Alberta Sovereignty Act (ASA) is being used as a way to "pick a fight" with the Canadian government.."The Sovereignty Act and Alberta is being moved forward as very much a political tool to try and pick a fight with the federal government," Trudeau told the Assembly of First Nations on Thursday. ."And I'm not interested in fighting with the Alberta government.".The ASA was passed in the Alberta Legislature on Wednesday, following the removal of a provision that would have given the provincial cabinet extraordinary powers to ignore federal legislation deemed harmful to the province..During the third reading of the bill, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the legislation as resetting the relationship with the federal government. .Trudeau said he and his government is concerned about the ASA and the Saskatchewan First Act, claiming they will bring challenges to "treaty rights that are fundamental in Canada need to be respected.".The prime minister said provincial governments can move forward on laws that "we as a federal government disagree with," but those need to be remedied through the court system. .Trudeau added Albertans and indigenous people need a government spending money on them by building homes, creating jobs, fighting climate change, protecting nature, and keeping communities safe.."There are so many things we need to work on together. And our focus as a government is on being there for Albertans," said Trudeau.."We will stay focused on delivering for you, delivering for all Albertans, indeed delivering for all people across this country who need governments that work for them.".ASA architect Barry Cooper said Thursday the Canadian Constitution has not safeguarded Alberta's interests. Furthermore, Cooper claimed that the constitution is "not a legitimate document."."I want the Constitution to be changed, or we'll have another referendum," said Cooper. .He said Canada has not acted like a federation, despite claiming to be one. He said this needed to change in the future.."If Canada doesn't want to do that, then the only alternative we have, in order to defend our interests, is to make sure that Canada does negotiate," he said.."And that means the threat of leaving."
