Kenney calls Alberta sovereignty act idea backed by UCP leadership candidate 'nuts'

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has so far declined to pick a favourite in the race to succeed him, but when asked to comment on a prominent platform plank of one of the leading candidates, referred to it as ``nuts.''

Kenney was appearing on his provincewide radio show on CHED and CHQR on Saturday when he was asked via text for his opinion of the Alberta sovereignty act, which has been proposed by United Conservative Party leadership candidate Danielle Smith.

Smith has said if she wins the leadership, she will bring in a bill this fall to give Alberta the power to ignore federal laws and court rulings deemed not in the province's interest.

Legal scholars say such a bill would be illegal, unenforceable and a dangerous dismissal of respect for the rule of law.

Kenney said he's certain that even if the Legislature passed the law, the lieutenant-governor would refuse to give it royal assent and Alberta would become a ``laughing stock.''

Smith chastised Kenney in a statement Sunday for ``interference'' in the leadership contest, saying his comments were ``ill-informed and disrespectful to a large and growing majority of UCP members that support this important initiative.''