Alberta to Require Provincial Approval Before Municipalities Can Make Deals With Ottawa

The Alberta government has introduced a new bill that would require provincial agencies and municipalities to receive approval before making a deal with the federal government. The Provincial Priorities Act would prevent Ottawa from working directly with municipalities and Alberta agencies, such as universities, boards, health authorities, and housing management bodies without first receiving provincial approval. Premier Danielle Smith said the move would prevent the federal government from putting “ideology before practicality.” “Since Ottawa refuses to acknowledge the negative impacts of its overreach, even after losing battles at the Federal and Supreme Courts, we are putting in additional measures to protect our provincial jurisdiction to ensure our province receives our fair share of federal tax dollars and that those dollars are spent on the priorities of Albertans,” Ms. Smith said in an April 10 news release....