Your letters for Dec. 7, 2022
Much work to do to fix act; let’s wait before passing judgment Re: Sovereignty act sends message to Ottawa, Opinion, Dec. 3 Former energy minister Ted Morton is correct in saying that the sovereignty act is not the first time Alberta has refused to accept the constitutional status quo. Former premier Peter Lougheed successfully added a section to the Constitution that affirmed provincial jurisdiction to make laws for the development of non-renewable natural resources. Lougheed was very popular for this move, yet Premier Danielle Smith is getting much criticism for invoking the new sovereignty act. Why is this so? First, there is much greater awareness now of the effects of global warming and this has raised concerns over oil and gas production. Second, Lougheed was personally popular and Smith not so much. Third, Lougheed did not have to deal with the polarization caused by COVID-19. Smith has many challenges to face. She needs to emphasize that Alberta has an energy policy that deals reasonably with climate change. She must become more in tune with what people want from the health system, including rules around preventing the spread of disease. Finally, she must do a better job of convincing Albertans that in no way will the sovereignty act break any law, nor will it conflict with democratic procedures. We should all give her the chance to do this before we pass final judgment.Peter Mannistu, Calgary
