The Liberal government has infused its social policy goals into funding for academic research for years — but to many progressives, that’s all fine and good. The real problem, they’ll tell you, is the premier who noticed it: Danielle Smith.

To push back at the federal encroachment into all things provincial — universities, yes, but also municipalities, health, schools, pharmacare and daycare — Smith’s government has tabled Bill 18, the provincial priorities act. The law would make the provincial government the final authority on all agreements between “provincial entities” and the feds.