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razzrazzle.bsky.social
@razzrazzle.bsky.social
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Retired social worker. 🇨🇦😷🇺🇦
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hab3261.bsky.social
Danielle Smith’s gov is dismantling democracy by design—rushing bills, burying changes, bypassing debate & centralizing power. This isn’t reform. It’s demolition. 🧱⚠️ #ABpoli #ABleg #CDNpoli #Canpoli #YYC #YEG #Democracy #WreckingBall #AlbertaPolitics
THE WRECKING BALL BLUEPRINT Danielle Smith’s Legislative Demolition Tactics OMNIBUS BILLS AND TROJAN CLAUSES The Smith government often bundles unrelated laws together into single bills. These omnibus bills obscure controversial changes in a sea of technical amendments. EXAMPLES Bill 31 (Public Health Appeals and Accountability Act) included provisions on tribunals, regionalization, and executive authority — all in one go. Bill 7 (Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act) changed everything from trespassing laws to surveillance powers under the guise of public safety. WHY IT MATTERS Omnibus bills are hard to unpack and harder to resist. They dilute public awareness and fast-track controversial changes under cover. Research - Chris (@skipischris.bsky.social) THE WRECKING BALL BLUEPRINT Danielle Smith’s Legislative Demolition Tactics GOVERNING BY REGULATION, NOT LEGISLATION One of the most under-discussed strategies is how much power is handed off to Cabinet via regulation. That means changes can be made behind closed doors, with zero debate in the legislature. EXAMPLES Bill 55 (Health Statutes Amendment Act) allows sweeping health system reforms through regulation. Bill 18 (Alberta First Act) enables Cabinet to override federal-provincial agreements via regulation. WHY IT MATTERS Regulations don’t face public hearings or debate. It centralizes power and sidelines democratic input. Research - Chris (@skipischris.bsky.social) HE WRECKING BALL BLUEPRINT Danielle Smith’s Legislative Demolition Tactics REFERENDA AS A WEAPON Danielle Smith’s government isn’t just governing by law — it’s governing by plebiscite. Referenda are being used as tools to validate ideological decisions with minimal public buy-in. EXAMPLES Bill 54 (Election Statutes Amendment Act) slashed the referendum threshold from 20% to 10% of voters per riding over 120 days — making it dramatically easier to force referenda on complex, high-stakes issues like separation or pensions. WHY IT MATTERS With low bars and short timelines, referenda can be manipulated by fringe groups or bad-faith actors. It destabilizes democratic norms. Research - Chris (@skipischris.bsky.social) THE WRECKING BALL BLUEPRINT Danielle Smith’s Legislative Demolition Tactics CENTRALIZATION OF POWER IN CABINET Under Smith, more decision-making is flowing directly to Cabinet — especially in health, education, and municipal governance. EXAMPLES Bill 16 (Education Statutes Amendment Act) gives the Minister final say on charter school approvals. Bill 20 (Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act 2025) removes locally elected officials via Cabinet order. Bill 12 (Public Health Emergencies Governance Review) ensures the CMOH can only act with Cabinet’s blessing during emergencies. WHY IT MATTERS Alberta’s system of checks and balances is being eroded. Decisions once made by arms-length experts or local representatives are now subject to direct political control. Research - Chris (@skipischris.bsky.social)
August 4, 2025 at 4:15 PM