Smith says judges should be constrained in matters like Bill 2

Lawyer says Smith's comment has 'authoritarian flavour'

Premier Danielle Smith stated that she wants the court system to refrain from interfering with the decisions of elected officials when it comes to matters of public interest, while diminishing its democratic role of holding public representatives accountable.

“Democracy is when the elected officials make decisions,” she said when asked about her response to those who are concerned about the implications of Bill 2 for democracy. “Democracy is not when unelected judges unilaterally make decisions.”

Her comments — which, according to University of Calgary law professor, had an “authoritarian flavour” — came during a news conference, in which she announced a new task force that would discuss classroom sizes and complexity . The commi