Alberta government asks judge to dismiss First Nation’s challenge of its sovereignty act

Alberta's government is asking a judge to strike down a First Nation's constitutional challenge of its sovereignty act, arguing the law hasn't had any impact on treaty rights.

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks to the media in Calgary on Oct. 21, 2026. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

Alberta's government wants a judge to throw out a First Nation's constitutional challenge of its sovereignty act, arguing it hasn't shown any impact on treaty rights.

Lawyers were in Edmonton court Friday to argue over the government's application to have the court strike the claim from Onion Lake Cree Nation and stop it from proceeding to trial.

Court of King's Bench Justice Grant Dunlop reserved his decision.

Premier Danielle Smith won leadership of the United Conservative Party with the sovereignty act as her signature proposal in 2022, and it became her flagship first law.

Smith said the Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act was needed to push back against federal encroachment into provincial jurisdiction.

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