Ok here's something weird
The Chief Justice of the Alberta Court of Kings bench has released a statement today. Something that's never been done before and I'm honestly not sure what triggered it. Courts usually stay neutral in any political situation but all 3 Chief Judges ( Court of Kings Bench, Court of Appeal and Court of Justice) signed the statement.
https://albertacourts.ca/docs/defau...from-the-chief-justices.pdf?sfvrsn=22b2cc82_1
Text follows:
As proud Albertans, we care deeply about this province and the people of Alberta.
The judges on Alberta’s three courts—the Court of Justice, the Court of King’s Bench and the
Court of Appeal—recognize that our fundamental role is to serve Albertans. We do this by
upholding our oath of office to decide each case honestly, impartially, and to the best of our
ability. We know that our decisions can profoundly impact the people who come before the
courts. We take this responsibility seriously.
A properly functioning democracy requires three separate branches of government that exercise
their power and authority independently according to the Constitution.
The executive branch makes policy and manages government operations. The legislative branch
makes laws. In turn, the judicial branch interprets and applies those laws to disputes brought
before the courts. If a party requests it, judges may be required to interpret and apply the
Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and make a ruling.
The independence of each branch ensures there are checks and balances across the system. It is
the foundation of a healthy democracy. Public trust and confidence in our institutions—and all
three branches of government—depend on it. It is equally important that each branch respect
and support the independence of the others.
Independence of the judicial branch protects the public. It ensures judges can make decisions
based solely on the law and evidence presented. It frees judges from pressure or influence from
external sources including the governments that appoint us.
Each day in Alberta’s courthouses, judges apply the law—to protect individual rights, decide
disputes fairly and hold parties, including governments, accountable. The rule of law means no
one is above the law, everyone is treated equally before the law, and power is not used
arbitrarily. Alberta’s judges will continue to do this work faithfully.
Alberta’s judges are Albertans, like the people we serve. We are proud of the work judges and
staff do every day to protect the rights of all Albertans and to safeguard our democracy.
This is probably push back against Ottawa's increasing pressure on the judiciary to adhere to Federal...ideals, I guess? Carney and his crew have been pushing hard to get the provincial courts to get in line with Federal moves and is most definitely aimed at any thought of separation that will have to be decided in the courts.
In truth I'm not really sure what these 3 Chief Judges are trying to say or who they're saying it too but this is 100% something new, I have no memory of all 3 Chief Judges coming together to make a joint statement in any province at all time in Canadian history let alone one that calls out Ottawa for trying to pressure them into...something.
All I can say is that this signifies...something. I just duno what. Strange times.