Smith tells Ellis to resist feds, expand sheriffs’ role
By Lethbridge Herald on September 26, 2025.
Al Beeber
Lethbridge Herald
Alberta Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Mike Ellis is being tasked with supporting municipalities in their efforts to explore independent police services and implement the legislative framework to make sheriffs a full-service police option for rural and smaller communities.
The mandate letter was one of several Premier Danielle Smith delivered to ministers on Thursday.
Ellis will also be tasked with setting policing priorities by working with Mickey Amery, the Minister of Justice to create a policing framework that directs law enforcement to focus on the priorities of the Alberta government, which include defending what the province calls Albertans’ right to self-defence and lawful gun ownership.
“Albertans gave us a clear mandate to deliver on their priorities, and our government is getting the job done,” Elis said in a statement. “We’re building a stronger, safer future for our communities by supporting our law enforcement, strengthening our emergency management and taking decisive action on critical public safety issues. We will continue to deliver on our promises, working tirelessly to make Alberta the safest place to live, work and raise a family.”
Amery was also given a mandate letter which calls on him to protect rights and freedoms “by defending Albertans’ right to lawful firearm ownership and self-defence, introducing free-speech protections for provincially regulated professionals, and supporting academic freedom in post-secondary institutions.”
And the premier wants her justice minister to defend Alberta against what she calls federal overreach “by using every legal tool available to overturn or overhaul Ottawa’s unconstitutional legislation and regulations, including C-69, the emissions cap, clean electricity regulations, tanker ban, industrial carbon tax, plastics designation, C-59 censorship law, fertilizer rules and the EV mandate” and build alliances with other provinces to project Alberta’s jurisdiction over natural resources.
Bill C-69 is in part an act to enact the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Regulator Act and to amend the Navigation Protection Act.
Amery is also being told to increase judicial capacity and support staff and expand virtual and innovative approaches to dispute resolution.
The Premier also wants Amery to to provide greater oversight and safeguards for medical assistance in dying and prohibit it where a person seeks MAID only due to mental illness.
He’s also been told to advocate for bail reform.
Children and Family Services Minister Searle Turton was also given a letter calling on him to protect Indigenous children and youth by continuing to work with the Minister of Indigenous Relations to lead engagement with Alberta First Nations and Metis communities as well as the federal government on implementation of an act to ensure the interests of Indigenous children in this province are protected.
13-12
Just Smith expanding her personal Gestapo.
The ongoing americanization of Alberta. Shame.