Alberta chief justices defend judicial independence after Danielle Smith’s remarks

Judicial independence is foundational to a properly functioning democracy, Alberta’s chief justices, representing the province’s three judicial branches, wrote in a pointed statement released days after Premier Danielle Smith said she wished she could “direct” judges.

Tuesday’s public statement, a rare step for the province’s top judges, was signed by Acting Chief Justice Dawn Pentelechuk, with the Court of Appeal; Chief Justice Kent Davidson, with the Court of King’s Bench; and Chief Justice James Hunter, with the Alberta Court of Justice.