Alberta dismisses fears federal funding veto bill would put chill on academic freedom

Alberta’s advanced education minister is rejecting concerns her government’s proposed gatekeeping law would lead to political interference and jeopardize $500-million of federal funding for academic research in the province.A bill introduced this week by Premier Danielle Smith, if passed, would give her government veto power over future deals between Ottawa and any entity regulated by the province, including municipalities and post-secondary schools.“The desire is not to impede academic freedom,” Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney told reporters Thursday.