Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma)— Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government will release further details today on its proposed strategy to counter Ottawa’s gun buyback program. The announcement is expected at an afternoon news conference led by Justice Minister Mickey Amery.
Smith told delegates at the United Conservative Party’s annual convention over the weekend that her government would introduce a motion to prevent provincial authorities from enforcing or prosecuting individuals under the federal gun rules. The move is set to be brought forward under the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, a legislation that Smith says allows the province to push back against federal policies it deems harmful to Albertans.
The federal government has already prohibited hundreds of assault-style firearms and introduced a voluntary buyback program to remove them from circulation. However, Smith argues that law-abiding citizens should not be targeted. She says the focus should be on what she called “low-life criminals,” not Albertans trying to protect their homes and families.
More information on Alberta’s approach—and how the province intends to implement its resistance—will be outlined later today.
