If Alberta wants conservative judges, it may need independence

By Bruce Pardy, published by The Western Standard on February 27, 2026

In Brief by Rights Probe

Premier Danielle Smith has raised concerns about the flawed process for appointing judges in Canada, seeking a new system that aligns with conservative values. Smith, however, is likely to remain frustrated in a legal landscape that tilts progressive and heavily favors federal control over judicial appointments, warns law professor Bruce Pardy. The message is sobering: most Canadians do not share conservative values. If Smith truly wants to reshape Alberta’s judicial system, she may need to go beyond the borders of Canada itself.

Professor Pardy’s commentary is available in full at the publisher’s website here.