Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the first motion under the Sovereignty Act has passed. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Alberta passes ‘Sovereignty Act’ motion to oppose net-zero electricity rules

Mar 1, 2024 | 11:28 AM

The Government of Alberta is set to formally oppose federal legislation in a new way.

On Thursday, February 29, 2024, the Legislative Assembly passed the first motion under the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act (Sovereignty Act).

The Sovereignty Act gives Alberta a legal framework to push back on federal laws or policies that it feels negatively impacts the province.

Premier Danielle Smith said in a social media post that the motion called for several initiatives that will “protect Alberta’s electricity grid from the federal government’s destructive policies and ensure access to affordable and reliable electricity.”

Ottawa looks to set a national standard of net-zero electricity grids by 2035.

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Smith had previously stated that achieving a net-zero grid 11 years from now was not realistic and could result in regular rolling blackouts during extremely cold conditions.

“Alberta’s Government will continue to use all legal means necessary to oppose the implementations and enforcement of Ottawa’s Clean Electricity Regulations (CER) in our province,” said Smith.

Smith had instead proposed moving the net-zero timeframe to 2050, something the federal government has not agreed to.