Alberta will withhold federal judicial funding unless given a role in selecting judges, sparking debate over court independence.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced the province will withhold federal funding for new judicial appointments unless the federal government grants Alberta a formal role in selecting judges for provincial and Supreme Court of Canada positions. In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Smith urged changes to the current process, including forming a joint advisory committee and relaxing bilingualism requirements, arguing that greater provincial input would improve public trust and reflect Alberta’s values and identity. The move has sparked debate over judicial independence and federal-provincial power, with critics warning it could worsen court delays and undermine the judiciary’s impartiality.