Danielle Smith asks Alberta’s Lieutenant-Governor to stop interfering in the election
Smith, a front-runner in the race to replace outgoing Alberta's outgoing premier, Jason Kenney, described the Lt.-Gov.'s role as 'wholly ceremonial' and called on Salma Lakhani to support bills 'democratically passed in the provincial legislature.'
On Alberta Day, a new holiday introduced by Jason Kenney for September 1, Lieutenant-Governor Salma Lakhani suggested she would seek independent expert advice before giving United Conservative Party leadership candidate Danielle Smith's proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act royal assent.
This Trudeau appointee must resign. This is impermissible interference in elections and government. I can think of no other Governor General or Lt.-Gov. or even the Queen herself who would say such a thing. She must resign or be fired by the Queen. https://t.co/cHZggrA9CV
— Ezra Levant 🍁🚛 (@ezralevant) September 1, 2022
The role of Alberta's lieutenant-governor is a largely ceremonial position, not a political one.
Smith, currently a front-runner in the leadership race to replace Jason Kenney following his resignation, is a proponent of the Sovereignty Act — which doesn’t even exist on paper as of yet.
Addressing Lakhani's comments, Smith released a video followed by a statement:
Alberta’s outgoing Premier @jkenney & @JustinTrudeau's federally appointed Lieutenant Governor @LtGovAB have both broken with constitutional convention & willfully inserted themselves into the leadership election to select the next Premier of Alberta.(1/2) #cdnpoli #abpoli
My full statement: #cdnpoli #ableg #abpoli (2/2) pic.twitter.com/zYRtv2wKYp
— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) September 2, 2022
“The Lieutenant Governor is an unelected figurehead, appointed by the Prime Minister, that plays a wholly ceremonial role in out system of government,” Smith said in the statement. “She does not have authority to refuse assent to bills democratically passed in the Provincial Legislature.”
Another UCP candidate, Brian Jean also shared his concerns:
I am extremely uncomfortable with the Lieutenant Governor getting political. That said, Danielle Smith's lack of clarity on this issue is already causing a constitutional crisis. To end this controversy, Smith must produce the text of the Sovereignty Act before UCP members vote.
I am extremely uncomfortable with the Lieutenant Governor getting political. That said, Danielle Smith's lack of clarity on this issue is already causing a constitutional crisis. To end this controversy, Smith must produce the text of the Sovereignty Act before UCP members vote.
— Brian Jean (@BrianJeanAB) September 1, 2022
Travis Toews, assumed by Smith to be Kenney’s preferred candidate, used the remarks of Lt.-Gov. Lakhani for political gain.
Today’s comments by the LG demonstrate the extraordinary legal and constitutional chaos that Danielle Smith’s proposals could unleash.
— Travis Toews (@ToewsforAlberta) September 1, 2022
At this point, one thing is crystal clear. Alberta does not need this. We need jobs, opportunity, and stability. 1/3
Kenney has also weighed in on Smith's proposed Sovereignty Act, calling it “nuts.”
Lieutenant-Governors should not be political, especially in the middle of a provincial leadership election. If you agree that Salma Lakhani must resign or be fired by the Queen, please sign our petition here.
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