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Freedom From Government Overreach
!!! quote "Government Wisdom" "The government is here to help! (Terms and conditions may apply)"
Call Danielle Smith, Premier{ .md-button } Email the Premier{ .md-button }
Call Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice{ .md-button } Email Minister of Justice{ .md-button }
Why Do We Need Freedom From Government Overreach?
Because somehow, the same government that can't fix our potholes wants to micromanage our lives. Let's talk about actual government overreach - not the "they made us stop at red lights" kind.
Our Current "Freedom" System
!!! example "A Day in Our Life Under Big Government" 1. We fill out form A38 to request form B65 2. We wait 6-8 weeks for processing 3. We receive notice that form A38 was outdated 4. We start over with form A38-B 5. We question our life choices 6. We repeat until retirement
What Real Freedom From Government Overreach Looks Like
- Privacy protection (our data isn't public property)
- Property rights (without excessive zoning nonsense)
- Personal autonomy (our bodies, our choice)
- Business freedom (without drowning in red tape)
- Digital rights (encryption isn't a crime)
But Don't We Need Government?!
!!! info "Plot Twist" Yes, we need government - like we need guardrails on mountain roads. But guardrails shouldn't take up the whole highway.
The Real Issues
Surveillance State
- Our phone calls aren't that interesting
- Our internet history is our business
- No, our smart fridges don't need government backdoors
Privacy Invasion
- Health records should be private
- Banking data isn't public info
- Our locations aren't government property
Regulatory Nightmares
- Small business ≠ criminal enterprise
- Permits shouldn't require a law degree
- Compliance shouldn't cost more than our businesses
Digital Rights
- Encryption is our self-defense
- Our messages are ours
- Online privacy isn't optional
!!! tip "Pro Freedom Tip" If we think all government is bad, let's try driving on a private road network where each owner sets their own traffic rules. Suddenly some basic standards don't seem so evil.
What Good Government Looks Like
- Protects our rights instead of restricting them
- Serves us instead of controlling us
- Creates frameworks, not micromanagement
- Respects privacy by default
- Transparent and accountable to us
What We're Missing
- Real oversight of government agencies
- Digital privacy protections
- Simplified regulations
- Actual accountability
- Common sense approaches
The Economic Argument
When government stays in its lane:
- Our businesses thrive
- Our innovation accelerates
- Our privacy is protected
- Our rights are respected
- We all win (except bureaucrats)
!!! warning "Reality Check" Government overreach isn't just annoying - it's expensive, inefficient, and dangerous to our democracy.
The Bottom Line
Freedom from government overreach means having a government that protects our rights instead of restricting them. It means understanding that the best government is one that knows its limits.
!!! note "Let's Get Involved" Ready to fight government overreach? Let's start by learning our rights, supporting privacy initiatives, and voting for politicians who understand that less is more when it comes to government control.
Remember: The goal isn't no government - it's good government. And good government knows when to back off and let us live our lives.
Sources & Evidence
Notwithstanding Clause Usage
- Alberta has now used the notwithstanding clause twice to override Charter of Rights protections
- In December 2025, the government invoked the clause to override court injunctions protecting LGBTQ+ rights
- This represents an unprecedented willingness to override constitutional protections
- Source: Globe and Mail - Alberta notwithstanding clause
Freedom of Information Failures
- A 2025 investigation found 27 government bodies non-compliant with freedom of information rules
- Investigation reports have been delayed by 4+ months
- Transparency in government operations has significantly declined
- The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner has raised repeated concerns
- Source: Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta
Regulatory Changes
- Environmental oversight has been reduced through regulatory changes
- Public consultation processes have been shortened or bypassed
- Industry self-regulation has increased in several sectors
- Source: Pembina Institute
Democratic Oversight
- Independent officers of the Legislature have faced budget constraints
- Public inquiry requests have been repeatedly rejected
- 78% of Albertans support independent investigations of government scandals
- Source: Public Interest Alberta
