Proportionality note: publish the burden, not only the ban

A proportionate rule is not judged only by the seriousness of the issue it names. It is judged by its reach, cost, enforceability, and unintended consequences.

A proportionality ledger

  • What enforcement capacity is required to make the rule real.
  • What compliance cost lawful retailers must carry.
  • Whether legal access contracts in rural or low-service areas.
  • Whether illicit sellers gain share when lawful channels face new limits.

Why publication matters

Public burden reporting would help MLAs compare policy ambition with operational reality. It would also reduce the temptation to treat every concern as a reason for either full restriction or no regulation.

A narrower request

Before any further expansion, Alberta should publish a simple burden note with enforcement capacity, compliance cost, and displacement risk. That is the proportionate thing to do.

Primary sources used in this update