The UCP government has unveiled a plan to oppose Ottawa’s assault-style firearm ban and voluntary buyback program, arguing the federal initiative exceeds Ottawa’s authority and infringes on Albertans’ property rights. A motion introduced under the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act states that firearm ownership is a provincial matter and cites the Alberta Bill of Rights, which protects the right to acquire, keep, and use property. The Province says it will use all legal means to prevent provincial entities, including police services, from enforcing or assisting with the federal program. The proposal directs the Attorney General to review prosecution guidelines related to firearm possession and self-defence and instructs the Minister of Public Safety to block participation from police or contracted RCMP. Federal rules ban over 2,500 models of firearms, with a voluntary buyback and an amnesty period until October 2026 before possession becomes an offence.
Nearly one-quarter of Alberta’s MLAs are now facing citizen-led recall petitions, with four new petitions approved, including one targeting Calgary-Beddington NDP MLA Amanda Chapman. Most petitions target members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative caucus, though Chapman’s petition makes the effort somewhat bipartisan. Petitioners cite reasons such as inadequate engagement with constituents and support for the use of the Charter’s notwithstanding clause during the teachers’ strike. The Chief Electoral Officer, Gordon McClure, described the level of activity as unprecedented, noting 21 petitions in the 87-seat legislature and estimating it will cost nearly $7 million to process. Smith and her caucus argue the recall process is being misused for policy disagreements rather than serious misconduct, while NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the government for resisting constituent feedback. Under Alberta’s Recall Act, petitioners have three months to collect signatures equaling 60% of votes cast in the last election, with successful petitions triggering a vote and, if lost, a byelection.
Alberta’s United Conservative government introduced Bill 14, the Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, which amends seven pieces of legislation and imposes new restrictions on political party names to prevent voter confusion. The bill bans the use of words associated with existing parties, such as “conservative,” “liberal,” and “green,” effectively blocking attempts to revive the Progressive Conservative Party. Justice Minister Mickey Amery said the changes are meant to ensure clarity on ballots and denied they were aimed at separatists or former party members. Bill 14 also amends the Citizen Initiative Act, giving the Justice Minister sole authority to refer future referendum proposals to the courts. The bill takes effect retroactively from July 4th.
An Alberta judge had ruled that a proposed referendum question on the province’s independence would violate the Constitution Act, including Charter and Treaty rights. The question, submitted by the Alberta Prosperity Project, asked whether Alberta should become a sovereign country and cease to be part of Canada. The decision came shortly after the provincial government introduced Bill 14. Justice Colin Feasby criticized the government’s move, saying it disrespects the administration of justice and undermines democracy by attempting to “silence the court.”
Elections Alberta has verified the “Forever Canadian” petition, which urges the Province to formally support remaining in Canada, after confirming more than 404,000 valid signatures through statistical sampling. Launched as a response to separatist efforts, the initiative asks the legislature to affirm Alberta’s place within Canada rather than send the issue to a referendum. Organizer Thomas Lukaszuk said a vote on independence would be costly, polarizing, and harmful to investor confidence, and argued the strong signature count should guide the government’s next steps. The proposal has now been submitted to the Speaker and must be referred to a Legislative Committee within 10 sitting days. That committee can recommend either adopting the policy directly or sending it to a referendum aligned with the 2027 provincial election.
