The Weekly Roundup- April 18, 2022
Saturday marked three years since the UCP formed government in Alberta. When the legislature resumes sitting on Tuesday, it will be with a new member in their ranks with Brian Jean taking his spot in the legislature as a government caucus member for the first time. While the updated seating chart has yet to be released, you can expect to see him in the hinterland on the opposition side of the chamber. The legislature will now sit for a long four weeks that will coincide with ballots being mailed in for the UCP leadership review.
Pierre Pollievre has made stops in Alberta as part of his CPC leadership campaign with significant crowds coming out in Calgary and Edmonton to hear his pitch. The groundswell of support is something the UCP is sure to be taking notice of provincially, and it wouldn’t be surprising to hear attempts from the UCP to mirror some of Pollievre’s campaign pitches regarding freedom and affordability.
Premier Kenney hosted Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia with a tour of the oil sands near Fort McMurray and talks with energy leaders in Calgary. Manchin was a defender of the now defunct Keystone XL pipeline, which also was discussed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a visit to Edmonton last week where the PM stated that his government has “continued consistently to advocate for Canada as a partner on energy to the United States”.
Below, you’ll find a recap of government legislation and government announcements made since our last edition.
Government Legislation Recap
There are two government bills on the Order Paper to be introduced:
Bill 16, Insurance Amendment Act, 2022 from Finance Minister Travis Toews
Bill 17, Labour Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 from Minister of Labour and Immigration Kayce Madu
Royal Assent received:
Bill 1: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Recognition Act
Bill 3: Special Days Act
Bill 7: Appropriation Act, 2022
Bill 8: Appropriation (Supplementary Supply) Act, 2022
Awaiting Royal Assent:
Bill 4: Municipal Government (Face Mask and Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Bylaws) Amendment Act, 2022
Bill 5: Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2022
Bill 6: Emblems of Alberta Amendment Act, 2022
Bill 2: Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: Second Reading adjourned March 30, 2022
Notes: This bill consists of several legislative amendments that implement technical measures announced in Budget 2022 including red tape reduction through harmonizing federal and provincial tax legislation.
Bill 9: Public’s Right to Know Act
Stage: Second Reading adjourned March 28, 2022
Notes: If passed, Bill 9 would fulfill a UCP platform commitment requiring the provincial government to report crime data annually and make the information available on its website as well as being tabled in the Legislature.
Bill 10: Health Professions (Protecting Women and Girls) Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: Second Reading adjourned March 30, 2022
Notes: If passed, Bill 10 would mean health professionals who perform or facilitate female genital mutilation or cutting would be removed from practising medicine, if convicted. Health professionals convicted of this crime in another jurisdiction would not be allowed to practise in Alberta.
Bill 11: Continuing Care Act
Stage: Second Reading adjourned March 30, 2022
Notes: This bill establishes clear and consistent authority and oversight for the licensing, accommodations and delivery of publicly funded care in the continuing care system in order to enable better coordination and alignment of care.
Bill 12: Trustee Act
Stage: First Reading passed March 29, 2022
Notes: The Trustee Act would replace existing legislation and improve the management of trusts by setting clear provisions regarding day-to-day function of all trusts for Albertans, such as charities, businesses and people with trusts in wills.
Bill 13: Financial Innovation Act
Stage: First Reading passed March 30, 2022
Notes: This bill creates a regulatory sandbox for financial services and fintech companies, offering businesses temporary relief from certain legislative and regulatory requirements, making it simpler for them to test new products and services and expand their offerings to consumers.
Bill 14: Provincial Court (Sexual Awareness Training) Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: First Reading passed March 30, 2022
Notes: Bill 14 will require Provincial Court judge applicants to complete sexual assault law and social context issues education before they are eligible to be appointed.
Bill 15: Education (Reforming Teacher Profession Discipline) Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: First Reading passed March 31, 2022
Notes: This bill, unpopular with the Alberta Teachers’ Association, would create the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission and appoint an arm’s-length commissioner to oversee teacher and teacher leader conduct and competency complaints for the profession. This process would apply equally to all teachers and teacher leaders, whether they are members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association or not.
Government of Alberta Announcements
Up to $1.5 million in grants is available to support first responders’ mental health while dealing with post-traumatic stress in 2022-23
Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides highlighted Budget 2022 funding of $41 million over three years to the redevelopment of the John Ware Building at SAIT.
Minister of Children’s Services Rebecca Schulz has accepted and is implementing all six action items outlined in the Review of Deaths of Children and Youth Receiving Child Intervention Services.
The UCP government has accepted the recommendations of the Alberta Firearms Advisory Committee while the province’s chief firearms officer has raised concerns with the federal firearm ban.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development Nate Horner issued a statement on positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Alberta’s government has released its Alberta Technology and Innovation strategy seeking to create 20,000 new jobs and see Alberta’s technology companies generate $5 billion more in annual revenue by 2030.
Alberta’s government has received the Premier’s Council on Charities and Civil Society report about support for women’s economic recovery
For the first time, the provincial government has terminated relationships with three sister regions in Russia.
Upcoming Events Calendar
April 19, 2022: Deadline for candidates to apply for CPC leadership
May 11, 2022: CPC Leadership Debate to be held in Edmonton
May 18, 2022: Results of UCP Leadership review announced
September 10, 2022: New CPC Leader announced