Learn English with Premier Rachel Notley. In this episode, Rachel talks about her government's plans to amend and strengthen the Alberta Bill of Rights, including allowing individuals the right to make informed decisions about their own bodies, and the right of individuals to legally acquire, keep and safely use firearms.
00:00:00.000My fellow Albertans, I have some exciting news to share with you today about an important step forward for our province in protecting the rights and freedoms that are central to our identity as Albertans.
00:00:11.540In a few weeks' time, our UCP government will be introducing legislation to amend and strengthen the Alberta Bill of Rights, a document that has stood as a safeguard for our civil liberties and freedoms for decades.
00:00:23.000Since its inception, the Alberta Bill of Rights has been a reflection of our shared values, recognizing the fundamental rights and freedoms that are essential to a free and democratic society.
00:00:34.960It enshrines the principles that every Albertan holds dear – freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to equality before the law, among other fundamental rights.
00:00:44.540It serves much like a constitutional document, in that it ensures all provincial laws and policies must align with those listed rights and freedoms.
00:00:54.820Now, the Bill of Rights has served its purpose well over the years, but as our society evolves, so too must our laws to ensure our rights and freedoms remain properly protected in an ever-changing world.
00:01:06.400One of the amendments we are making to the Bill of Rights is to reinforce the right of every Albertan to make their own choices regarding the medical treatments they receive.
00:01:15.960This includes ensuring that every individual in our province who has the mental capacity to do so will have the right to decide whether or not to receive a vaccination or other medical procedure.
00:01:26.600In recent years, we've seen the challenges and hardship that can arise when that right to bodily autonomy is not adequately protected.
00:01:35.220It is my firm conviction that no Albertan should ever be subjected or pressured into accepting a medical treatment without their full consent.
00:01:42.480For me, this addition to the Bill of Rights is about recognizing that in Alberta, we believe that individuals have the right to make informed decisions about their own bodies without fear of undue pressure or interference by government.
00:01:55.600The amended Bill of Rights will also strengthen property rights, another cornerstone of living in a free and democratic society.
00:02:03.520The amendments will ensure that no Albertan can be deprived of their property without due process of law and just compensation.
00:02:10.920This is a reaffirmation of your right to own and enjoy the property that you've worked so hard for.
00:02:15.760There will also be an amendment to make clear that in Alberta, we respect the right of individuals to legally acquire, keep and safely use firearms.
00:02:24.320For many Albertans, firearms are critical to their livelihood and way of life.
00:02:29.140I personally feel that law-abiding firearms owners have been unfairly targeted by our federal government for decades,
00:02:34.840and it is my hope that these amendments will better protect the rights of our farmers, ranchers, hunters and sport enthusiasts going forward.
00:02:42.880I'd like to share that in my view, these amendments to the Bill of Rights are not just legal changes.
00:02:47.620They are a reaffirmation of the values that make Alberta one of the freest jurisdictions on earth.
00:02:52.240They are about protecting our rights, our freedoms and our way of life.
00:02:56.420We are sending a clear message that in Alberta, the rights of individuals are paramount and that government must respect those rights at every turn.
00:03:05.200As your Premier, it is my duty and my honour to stand up for your rights.
00:03:09.520I believe deeply in the principles of individual freedom and personal responsibility that have guided and built this province for generations.
00:03:16.280Thank you for your trust and commitment to the values that make Alberta the amazing province and beacon of freedom we have become in the world.