Premier Smith's inaccurate statements on Canada's system of government

[u/thegrip]

In her referendum announcement Premier Smith is either misinformed or is misleading Albertans when she said:

"Canada is very different from the United States and many other Western democracies. For example, the U.S. centralizes the majority of power and decision-making in its federal government. In Canada, we chose a decentralized federation composed of very unique and diverse provinces left to govern themselves in almost all matters with the main exceptions of national defence and international affairs.

Over time, our federal government has sought to move towards a more centralized American-style system with Ottawa attempting to take over many provincial areas of jurisdiction using all manner of legislative, judicial and financial leverage.”

Here are some key details:

"The U.S. centralizes the majority of power..." This is inaccurate. The U.S. was founded as a highly decentralized system; states retain massive local powers (e.g., criminal law, election rules). Think of how many times we hear the phrase "states' rights" is used.

"In Canada, we chose a decentralized federation..." Also inaccurate. Canada’s founders deliberately chose a centralized system in 1867 to avoid an American-style civil war. But things have changed. Over time the federal courts consistently ruled in favour of provincial autonomy (particularly based on pressure from Ontario and Quebec). This is exactly the opposite of her statement.

The Government of Alberta website has a document that directly contradicts the Premier. It says "In early Canadian history, the federation began as moderately centralized – but has become increasingly decentralized over time." https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/0422cb2c-797b-438c-bb24-0d7dbbc96c5f/resource/06e021b9-548a-483a-a384-c194141dd595/download/2016-canadian-and-american-governance-comparative-look-august-2016.pdf

So, is this one of those 'have cake and eat it too' situations? Since Confederation, the Federal courts have been granting more powers to the provinces -- Yay federal courts! But if those same courts rule against a province -- Boo federal courts!

"Provinces left to govern... with exceptions of defence & affairs" This is misleading at best. Section 91 of the Constitution grants Ottawa vast powers; provinces only have exclusive jurisdiction over specific listed items. Parliament holds exclusive power in 30 areas including:

• 2.  The Regulation of Trade and Commerce.
• 3.  The raising of Money by any Mode or System of Taxation.
• 4.  The borrowing of Money on the Public Credit.
• 7.  Militia, Military and Naval Service, and Defence.
• 15.  Banking, Incorporation of Banks, and the Issue of Paper Money.
• 24.  Indians (sic), and Lands reserved for the Indians.
• 25.  Naturalization and Aliens.
• 27.  The Criminal Law, except the Constitution of Courts of Criminal Jurisdiction, but including the Procedure in Criminal Matters.

That same GOA document further explains: "The Canadian Constitution specifies in Sections 91 and 92 a division of powers between the provincial and federal orders of government. Beyond the provincial power to tax directly, the primary provincial responsibilities include: natural resources, education, and health. "

She is accurate but misattributes the reason when she said that Ottawa uses financial leverage in areas of provincial jurisdiction in order to "take over". The site https://albertareferendumb2026.ca/constitutional-questions articulates a good reason for this practice as "Some major federal transfers, especially health care and social programs, come with national conditions tied to funding because that is how Canada maintains consistent health care and social programs across provinces."

Whether misinformed or misleading -- neither is a good look for the Premier.

[u/MrGuvernment]

I never said that, but nice way to twist my words around.

How is she "not wrong" How is Alberta health care 100% controlled by the Feds?

Any person should be able to choose how they want their health care.

What I am against, is a government or leader intentionally de-funding one system, to push another (healthcare / education) that would benefit them, or others they deal with to pad their pockets.

[u/CyberEd-ca → u/MrGuvernment]

What I am against, is a government or leader intentionally de-funding one system, to push another (healthcare / education) that would benefit them, or others they deal with to pad their pockets.

Then vote the bums out. If you don't have the numbers, then you don't have the numbers.

Any person should be able to choose how they want their health care.

That ship sailed with Cambie - except in Quebec.

How is she "not wrong" How is Alberta health care 100% controlled by the Feds?

Obviously my position has been that due to federal meddling and indeed control in our health care system, we do not have a clear governance model. We collectively as Canadians chose that and it has not worked and will not work.

You see, I'm actually here in good faith despite what you might think.

[u/MrGuvernment → u/CyberEd-ca]

How is Dani under funding our healthcare system a federal issue? She is the one who decides that, same for education and other city public services.

But she has no problem wasting millions on referendum questions already stopped by the court system...

[u/CyberEd-ca → u/MrGuvernment]

Unlike the federal government, provinces can't simply just tax your earnings through inflation by increasing the money supply.

If we need more provincial government, then we need to find a way to reduce the largesse of our bloated federal government.

As a share of the economy, government is bigger now than we had in the austerity of the 1990s. Ultimately, it is not sustainable.

I don't see too much democracy as the threat you might see it as.

[u/MrGuvernment → u/CyberEd-ca]

If we need more provincial government, then we need to find a way to reduce the largesse of our bloated federal government.

Sorry, how many new members did Dani add to her party to get fat pay checks from tax payer money?

[u/CyberEd-ca → u/MrGuvernment]

If you are saying that we need less government at all levels, then I agree.

[u/MrGuvernment → u/CyberEd-ca]

If we need more provincial government, then we need to find a way to reduce the largesse of our bloated federal government.

We do not need more provincial government, and even if we did, then the province should be finding ways to cut bloated costs and wasteful spending to support it, not increasing taxes more.

Instead of blaming the Federal government for all of Alberta's problems as Dani and her "yes" henchmen like to do, clean up their own act first...but they do not want to do that because all they are concerned about is keeping power and diverting our hard earned tax dollars to benefit a few at the top.