28/01/2026
A group of Camrose lawyers, including two former conservative Attorneys General are speaking out against the UCP’s moves towards an autocracy.
A fair system where everyone is subject to the same laws and rules, where there are checks and balances to ensure power is not exercised capriciously, and where everyone is equal before the law is not a partisan issue. A government that tramples rights and makes special rules for thier friends should be a concern to all of us, regardless of politics.
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The old phrase, “First, let’s kill all the lawyers”, always gets a laugh. It comes from the Shakespeare play, Henry the VI. In that play, a rebellion was brewing and cutthroats who were planning on taking over government knew that, in order for them to be successful, they would have to overcome the lawyers, who were meant to be a bulwark against autocracy and government over-reach.
We are a group of Camrose and area lawyers, active and retired, and articling students, from different firms, and with different political leanings. While we often disagree on various issues, we are united in our concerns about recent actions of our provincial Government. We feel it is important to call out unacceptable behavior and demand that our elected representatives protect our rights, and work for all Albertans. But this isn’t just a topic for lawyers to discuss amongst themselves. It’s critical that everyone get involved.
Our concerns include the following:
1. Our Government legislated rules about citizen petitions and direct democracy, and retroactively changed these rules when they were not working in the Government’s favor, in an apparent attempt to stifle opposition.
2. Our Government has taken away the powers of the Chief Electoral Officer, who was an independent officer of the legislature, and placed those powers in the hands of the Justice Minister. This has taken away an important and independent check on Government actions and over-reach.
3. Our Government has invoked the notwithstanding clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms four times in the last three months of 2025. Yet, our Premier publicly stated in 2022 that she was opposed to using the notwithstanding clause as it is used to override individual rights and freedoms. Now, she justifies repeated use of the notwithstanding clause to override individual rights and freedoms on the apparent basis that our judges are not elected, and therefore not as accountable as the Legislature.
4. Our Government has taken away the powers of the Law Society of Alberta to sanction the Justice Minister for wrongdoing. Our Justice Minister is a lawyer. He is expected to set a good example for all lawyers, and display the highest degree of integrity. If our Justice Minister breaches our Code of Conduct, he or she should expect to answer for that breach.
5. Our Premier has, on recent occasions, criticized our Courts and suggested federally appointed Judges are not able to render impartial decisions. We have strong, respected Courts with a reputation for principled decision making. We should all value and safeguard judicial independence. Our Courts are necessary to protect and uphold our legal rights and uphold the rule of law in Alberta and Canada. Even if they may disagree with a particular decision, politicians should treat our Courts with respect, and not exert political pressure on them or try to undermine their legitimacy.
In a democracy, we don’t always get our own way, but for it to function, there must be clear rules that are fair to all and can’t be changed on a whim for political expedience. As Churchill is reputed to have said, “Democracy is the worst form of government…., except for all the others.” We urge all citizens to use their voices to preserve our democratic institutions.
Dana Andreassen
Jessica Andreassen
Margaret Weir Andreassen
Eric Barstad
Michael Borth
Andrea Campbell
Mike Crochetiere
Alan Fielding
David Francoeur
Harry Gaede
Steven Hansen
Shanice Harris
Larry Johnson
Stephen Kambeitz
Kirk Laird
Joshua Mohr
Nestor Nychka
Verlyn Olson
Sydney Palmer
Kirstyn Rau
Kenneth Rostad
Doug Sawle
Peggy Shuman
Jonathan Sims
Ian Smith
Jeff Spady
Rory Suzukovich
Wayne Throndson
Conrad van Staden
Martin West
