In a striking display of political maneuvering, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has demonstrated the dual-track nature of her government's relationship with Ottawa. Only five days after signing a significant economic memorandum of understanding with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Smith pivoted to directly challenge federal authority using the province's contentious Sovereignty Act.
From Economic Accord to Constitutional Confrontation
The week began with a notable de-escalation in federal-provincial tensions. On Thursday, November 27, 2025, Premier Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney finalized an economic agreement. The deal saw Ottawa lift certain regulatory burdens on Alberta's industry in exchange for provincial commitments on carbon capture initiatives and pipeline approvals.
In the aftermath, Smith publicly affirmed her commitment to Canada, urging those with separatist leanings to give the nation a chance. This move brought relief and praise from federalists across Alberta, even among critics of her government's handling of healthcare and education.
Sovereignty in Action at the UCP Convention
The conciliatory tone shifted dramatically by Saturday, November 29. Addressing the United Conservative Party's annual general meeting in Edmonton, Smith delivered a keynote speech that reignited her government's defiant stance against federal overreach.
Before a cheering crowd containing a significant contingent of hardline separatists, the Premier made a major announcement. She declared that Alberta would not enforce federal gun laws, specifically targeting Ottawa's firearm seizure program.
"I am announcing today that next week, our UCP government will be introducing a new motion under the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act," Smith told the convention. She stated the motion would, if passed, instruct all provincial entities—including municipalities and law enforcement—to refuse to enforce or prosecute the federal gun seizure program.
The Legal Mechanism and Its Implications
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Justice Minister Mickey Amery formally unveiled the Sovereignty Act motion, adding substantial detail to the government's plan. The motion builds upon the provincial Firearms Act, passed two years prior, which appointed a provincial firearms officer and mandated that only provincially authorized officials could conduct seizures within Alberta.
The new motion explicitly shields Albertans from prosecution for using firearms to defend their homes against intruders. Smith offered a blunt warning to criminals: "If you don't want to get shot, don't break into someone's house. It's really that simple."
This action is part of a broader strategy that includes Smith's previously stated ambition to create a provincial firearms licensing system to replace the federal one. Political observers note the Premier secured the economic deal with Carney just before the party convention, ensuring she approached her base with a tangible victory in hand before reigniting the sovereignty debate.
The rapid sequence of events—from economic partnership to constitutional confrontation within days—underscores the Smith government's complex strategy: pursuing practical agreements with Ottawa while simultaneously mobilizing its political base through assertive provincial autonomy measures. The Sovereignty Act, once considered by some to be a dormant symbol, has been forcefully activated, signaling ongoing turbulence in Alberta's relationship with the federal government.
