So the NDP's banging the war drums, urging UCP MLAs to vote against whatever is finally drafted as a Sovereignty Act — we don’t even have one to talk about, yet — and they would like you, the citizen, to think the rule of law hangs in the balance..They would, wouldn’t they? They’re the opposition..Same with facile media questions at Premier Smith’s first presser on Tuesday. Demanding a simple, binary, yes/no on the question of whether she would accept any decision of the Supreme Court of Canada is to not understand whatever the courts say, this will be in the end, a political arm-wrestle..Let’s just talk about constitutions. They reflect the balance of power between the people negotiating, at the time they're negotiating. So as power balances change, so — in the end — do the rules of the game... the constitution. .They must. Let’s face it, the Magna Carta was a great thing in 1215. Later, other interests demanded much more of the Crown. And got it, thanks heavens. If the great charter was all the protection you had today against your government, we’d still be hanging people for sheep-stealing..The American Constitution is a case in point. It was adopted more than 230 years ago and is regarded as more or less permanent. But, it has actually been amended 27 times. In the process, women got the right to vote, prohibition was enabled and later withdrawn. Nothing happened quickly..That can be good: If change is necessary, slow change is easier to handle. But, Alberta has waited long enough..Here's why. In Canada, we have the British North America Act. First adopted in 1867, it was rebranded in 1982 as the Constitution Act. Unfortunately, under the terms of the act, you’d change the orbit of Mars quicker than get agreement from Central Canada on anything that helped Alberta..But that doesn’t alter the fact Canada’s constitution does not reflect today’s realities, and needs to change..When the BNA was written, Alberta didn’t exist. Now, 155 years later, with a mere 10% of Canada’s people, Albertans produce 14% of Canada’s GDP. Before the federal government started messing with our energy industry, it was even more than that..So demanding commitments about the law, and sharp, clear distinctions, is to miss the point. What Smith appears to understand — that former premiers Prentice, Notley and Kenney don't appear to have accepted — is in the absence of an accessible formula for change, constitutional evolution necessarily involves a certain amount of pushing and shoving, a balancing of interests and only then, in the end, perhaps, something that looks like a win-win for everybody..This is not outrageous: Unless you think it would still make sense for Ottawa to ask the British government before it changes its own constitution, there is no valid argument — none — that Canada’s constitution should not be amended to better recognize Alberta’s place in confederation..Yes, it will almost certainly take a lot of pushing and shoving, and maybe the rebalancing of interests will not be popular outside Alberta..But, so what? That is how constitutions are made..It’s also how they get changed..It’s time to negotiate and be what Quebecers call ‘difficile.’.After all, it's not as if either Alberta or Saskatchewan negotiated their way into Confederation. Never too late to do the right thing, right? And if necessary, it's time to put elbows to the table..Good luck Smith, say I..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
So the NDP's banging the war drums, urging UCP MLAs to vote against whatever is finally drafted as a Sovereignty Act — we don’t even have one to talk about, yet — and they would like you, the citizen, to think the rule of law hangs in the balance..They would, wouldn’t they? They’re the opposition..Same with facile media questions at Premier Smith’s first presser on Tuesday. Demanding a simple, binary, yes/no on the question of whether she would accept any decision of the Supreme Court of Canada is to not understand whatever the courts say, this will be in the end, a political arm-wrestle..Let’s just talk about constitutions. They reflect the balance of power between the people negotiating, at the time they're negotiating. So as power balances change, so — in the end — do the rules of the game... the constitution. .They must. Let’s face it, the Magna Carta was a great thing in 1215. Later, other interests demanded much more of the Crown. And got it, thanks heavens. If the great charter was all the protection you had today against your government, we’d still be hanging people for sheep-stealing..The American Constitution is a case in point. It was adopted more than 230 years ago and is regarded as more or less permanent. But, it has actually been amended 27 times. In the process, women got the right to vote, prohibition was enabled and later withdrawn. Nothing happened quickly..That can be good: If change is necessary, slow change is easier to handle. But, Alberta has waited long enough..Here's why. In Canada, we have the British North America Act. First adopted in 1867, it was rebranded in 1982 as the Constitution Act. Unfortunately, under the terms of the act, you’d change the orbit of Mars quicker than get agreement from Central Canada on anything that helped Alberta..But that doesn’t alter the fact Canada’s constitution does not reflect today’s realities, and needs to change..When the BNA was written, Alberta didn’t exist. Now, 155 years later, with a mere 10% of Canada’s people, Albertans produce 14% of Canada’s GDP. Before the federal government started messing with our energy industry, it was even more than that..So demanding commitments about the law, and sharp, clear distinctions, is to miss the point. What Smith appears to understand — that former premiers Prentice, Notley and Kenney don't appear to have accepted — is in the absence of an accessible formula for change, constitutional evolution necessarily involves a certain amount of pushing and shoving, a balancing of interests and only then, in the end, perhaps, something that looks like a win-win for everybody..This is not outrageous: Unless you think it would still make sense for Ottawa to ask the British government before it changes its own constitution, there is no valid argument — none — that Canada’s constitution should not be amended to better recognize Alberta’s place in confederation..Yes, it will almost certainly take a lot of pushing and shoving, and maybe the rebalancing of interests will not be popular outside Alberta..But, so what? That is how constitutions are made..It’s also how they get changed..It’s time to negotiate and be what Quebecers call ‘difficile.’.After all, it's not as if either Alberta or Saskatchewan negotiated their way into Confederation. Never too late to do the right thing, right? And if necessary, it's time to put elbows to the table..Good luck Smith, say I..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
