Since the UCP Leadership contest has materialized, the “Free Alberta Strategy (FAS)” authored by Rob Anderson, Barry Cooper and Derek From has attracted the spotlight of provincial politics, with various leadership candidates publicly supporting or eschewing it. While there is much to like about the FAS, particularly greater autonomy from Ottawa, and the preservation of individual freedoms, rights and prosperity, certain components of the strategy may render it unappealing to many Albertans. And recently, the chair of the UCP caucus has stated that it would not likely be passed into law by the legislature. The Alberta Prosperity Project (APP) believes that a modified FAS can overcome perceived concerns and be accepted by the majority of Albertans..Why a FAS is so important at this juncture of Alberta’s existence is because it will prevent the dystopian “Great Reset” planned by the WEF-UN-Controlled-Trudeau-Liberal-Federal Government. The FAS correctly acknowledges that no previous or current Alberta provincial government has ever been able to protect Albertan’s interests, individual freedoms, rights, prosperity, or self-determination in Alberta’s 116-year history, because it has not had the power to do so. For these reasons the FAS deserves serious consideration, including recommended modifications..The cornerstone of the currently discussed FAS is the “Alberta Sovereignty Act” (ASA), which is “to pass into law that which will grant the Alberta legislature absolute discretion to refuse any provincial enforcement of federal legislation or judicial decisions that, in its view, interfere with provincial areas of jurisdiction or constitute an attack on the interests of Albertans”..Herein are two perceived problems that can easily be avoided..The first is the perception that the FAS via the ASA intends to break federal law and dictates which leads to the second problem, the intent to create a constitutional crisis. The authors of the FAS contend that creating a constitutional crisis will compel opening and changing the constitution, but will it, at what cost, and how long will it take? .While not enforcing federal law and dictates may seem reasonable to those of us who are terminally frustrated and fed-up with Ottawa and the historical impotence of all previous Alberta Governments, it is important to consider the likely federal response. Anytime a province does not fall into line with federal mandates, the federal government withholds monetary transfers of that provinces own money back to that province. In essence, federal economic coercion to enforce compliance. Further, as the authors write in the FAS, “there is really no telling what tactics the federal government might resort to in such circumstances, including the use of force”..Nevertheless, it is certainly reasonable to challenge and not enforce, for example: Bill C-69 which has already been found unconstitutional; federal gun possession laws; enforcement of the federal quarantine act by AHS employees; and enforcement of quarantine hotels by Alberta police officers. The APP suggests that not enforcing federal law is simply not necessary when a legal pathway can resolve all of Albertans concerns on or before 2025. .Creating a constitutional crisis..Barry Cooper, in a recent op-ed, correctly stated that the purpose of the ASA is to create a constitutional crisis, the purpose of which is to open and change the constitution and, if not possible, for Alberta to then hold a referendum on Alberta independence. While creating a constitutional crises will appeal to those of us who want change now, what Professor Cooper overlooks is that we are already in a constitutional crisis by virtue of federal government and Supreme Court overreach into multiple areas of provincial authority granted in the 1982 Constitution Act, which has gradually strangled Alberta’s economy, as well as our individual freedoms, rights, and prosperity. The FAS has also not factored in that constitutional battles often take many years to resolve, time which we do not have given the WEF-UN Agenda 2030. Further, a Supreme Court appointed by the Prime Minister’s Office will most certainly rule against Alberta in any constitutional battle, rendering the creation of a constitutional crisis a frustrating time-consuming exercise in futility. .Taking control legally..The FAS already intends to take control legally via the “Alberta Sovereignty Act” the following: .Replace the RCMP with an Alberta Provincial Police Force accountable to Albertans via the Alberta Solicitor General..Establish an Alberta Revenue Agency to collect provincial personal taxes in addition to corporate taxes which Alberta already collects. This sets the stage for taking control of federal tax collection..Establish an Alberta Pension Plan and opt out of the Canadian Pension Plan which we currently overfund by $3 billion per year which will immediately be fully reallocated to the benefit all Alberta based pensioners..Establish an Alberta Employment Insurance Plan.Establish an Alberta controlled immigration policy.“Pass into law the Alberta Independent Banking Act which will expand the number of provincially regulated financial institutions for the purpose of protecting Alberta businesses and citizens from enforcement of federal legislation or judicial decisions designated as unenforceable by the Alberta Legislature” .The futility of negotiating with the federal government: .While taking control of the above, the APP suggests that the Alberta Government must also attempt to negotiate with the Federal government to:.Collect federal taxes. Alberta should be the final arbiter on what we are willing to transfer to Ottawa. “He who has the gold rules”. It should be up to Albertans what happens with their money. This could benefit Albertans by up to $33 billion per year, resulting in substantially lower taxes, higher wages, and a higher quality of life for all Albertans..End equalization, which would benefit Albertans by several billions of dollars per year..End any federal encroachment on the development and transport of our natural resources, which would create an economic boom in Alberta..End the carbon tax, which would benefit everyone..Permit unfettered Alberta authority to improve healthcare. .Have sole authority in the appointment of federal judges, without recourse to the Supreme Court of Canada, but recourse to a new Supreme Court of Alberta..Have sole authority with international relations and trade..The intransigence of the Federal Government to negotiate in good faith on the aforementioned will be clearly demonstrated to Albertans. Alberta is presently not in a position of strength to force needed changes to the Canadian Constitution Act. The Alberta Government will then need to seek a mandate from the electorate to hold a referendum on Alberta Independence. ONLY a successful referendum can empower the Alberta Government with the needed leverage to negotiate with Ottawa and the other provinces from a position of strength..By or Before May 2025, if Alberta has not achieved all of the aforementioned, then Alberta will hold a referendum on Alberta Independence. A majority of 50% plus one provides Alberta the moral and legal legitimacy to chart a new path forward and negotiate with Ottawa from a position of strength for the first time in Alberta’s history:.Negotiations will commence with Ottawa and the other provinces on Alberta’s independence..All federal jurisdictions will then be null and void in Alberta, and will fall under Alberta’s constitutional control..All federal tax revenue will remain in Alberta..The Alberta borders will be secured..The advantage of improving the FAS as defined above is that independence within or without Canada can be realized without the perception of breaking federal law or creating a time-consuming constitutional battle. .The prizes for successfully asserting our authority legally, immediately, and pragmatically are numerous and spectacular when Alberta becomes the most free and prosperous region in the world to live, work, raise a family or start a business. With the most favorable regulatory and tax environment in the world, Alberta will become a magnet for business and people to relocate here and, in short order, Alberta will become the number one GDP per capita nation in the world..In conclusion, Alberta would never join confederation under the current terms or cost of membership. The next Alberta Government has a moral and economic responsibility to solve Alberta’s dilemma in confederation by 2024 to 2025. Implementing a Free Alberta Strategy with the APP suggested modifications to the proposed “Alberta Sovereignty Act” would demonstrate that the Alberta Government is serious for the first time in 116 years to legally protect this amazing province and its citizens..Dennis L Modry, MD.CEO, Alberta Prosperity Project
