The Weekly Roundup- April 25, 2022
Alberta’s legislature continues to sit with five new government bills tabled in the past week keeping the House busy and hopefully for Premier Kenney, keeping his caucus out of trouble. The Premier has stated that should he win the leadership vote, he will expect caucus unity and “a basic level of professionalism, discipline and unity.”
Last week it was reported that Canada’s inflation rate rose to a 30-year high of 6.7 per cent in March. The higher cost of everyday items for Albertans is once again highlighting how important solutions related to affordability will be as campaign platforms are developed. While the NDP are busy puting together their platform, the UCP are in a holding pattern awaiting the results of the leadership review.
While law and order is typically a bread and butter topic for a conservative party, the UCP are in a tough spot with the province’s crown prosecutors considering a strike due to chronic underfunding that is letting more perpetrators walk free. The Crown attorneys association had a meeting on Thursday with officials and as Alberta’s finances continue to improve, finding solutions should be a top priority.
Mark your calendars for June 28, 2022. Alberta Relaunch presented by New West Public Affairs is a one day conference convening political and industry leaders, media personalities and public policy experts. The conference will feature keynote speakers and panel discussions on a range of topics including energy and climate policy, technology and innovation, public health, politics and government, as well as the very latest in public opinion polling. You can register here.
Below, you’ll find a recap of government legislation, government announcements made and Orders in Council passed since our last edition.
Government Legislation Recap
There is one government bill on the Order Paper to be introduced:
Bill 21 Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2022
Royal Assent received:
Bill 1: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Recognition Act
Bill 2: Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2022
Bill 3: Special Days Act
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 7: Appropriation Act, 2022
Bill 8: Appropriation (Supplementary Supply) Act, 2022
Bill 9: Public’s Right to Know Act
Bills before the House:
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: Second Reading passed April 19, 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: Second Reading adjourned April 19, 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: Second Reading passed April 20, 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: Second Reading adjourned April 21, 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.
Bill 16: Insurance Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: First Reading passed April 19, 2022
Notes: If passed, these amendments to the Insurance Act will help facilitate easier access to reinsurance (insurance for insurance companies) within Alberta prior to captive insurance being introduced in the province.
Bill 17: Labour Statutes Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: First Reading passed April 21, 2022
Notes: If passed, the bill would improve Albertans’ access to bereavement supports to include those experiencing miscarriage or stillbirth and expand reservist leaves by removing the 20-day limit on unpaid military reservist leave for annual training.
Bill 18: Utility Commodity Rebate Act
Stage: Second Reading adjourned April 21, 2022
Notes: If passed, forthcoming regulations under this bill would enable an electricity rebate to benefit families, farms and businesses and a natural gas rebate to protect Albertans from high prices next winter.
Bill 19: Condominium Property Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: First Reading passed April 21, 2022
Notes: The changes proposed in this bill aim to better protect condo owners from unnecessary costs.
Bill 20: Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: First Reading passed April 21, 2022
Notes: If passed, these housekeeping amendments will update the Corrections Act, the Justices of the Peace Act, the Missing Persons Act, the Victims of Crime and Public Safety Act, and the Youth Justice Act.
Government of Alberta Announcements
Chartered surgical facilities in Edmonton and Calgary will provide about 35,000 cataract and other eye procedures under new contracts with Alberta Health Services this coming year.
A news conference was held to highlight the work being done by Travel Alberta to grow the province’s tourism sector.
Alberta’s government hired Deloitte to conduct a review of the Balancing Pool’s finances and found the agency lost more than $1.34 billion from 2015-2019.
In partnership with the federal government, Alberta has awarded two grants totalling $900,000 to help grow the province’s hemp industry.
Beginning in September, school authorities will be required to administer literacy and numeracy screening assessments for students in grades 1 to 3.
Alberta’s government is providing an additional $2 million for Ukrainian citizens arriving with employment, education and health care supports.
The government highlighted job training investments as part of their “Alberta at Work” program as announced in Budget 2022, with over $600 million being invested over 3 years.
Orders in Council
OC 95/2022: Makes the Health Information (Expiry Date Extension) Amendment Regulation extending the expiry to April 30, 2027.
OC 96/2022: Rescinds the appointment of Bukola Salami as a public member to the council of the Alberta College of Social Workers; reappoints Trevor Steven Liskowich as a public member to the council of the Alberta College of Social Workers for a term to expire on May 14, 2024.
OC 97/2022: Reappoints Nickolletta Adriane Sandie as a public member to the council of the Alberta Dental Association and College for a term to expire on March 20, 2023; reappoints Shari Ann LaPerle as a public member to the council of the Alberta Dental Association and College for a term to expire on November 2, 2024.
OC 98/2022: Rescinds the appointment of Angelina Bakshi as a public member to the council of the College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta; reappoints Raja Balraj Singh as a public member to the council of the College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Alberta for a term to expire on October 2, 2024.
OC 99/2022: Reappoints Tongjie Zhang as a public member to the council of the College of Alberta Dental Assistants for a term to expire on April 19, 2024.
OC 100/2022: Appoints Lora-Lei Brenan, to succeed Dustin Ariel Schinbein, as a public member to the council of the College of Alberta Denturists for a term to expire on April 19, 2025.
OC 101/2022: Reappoints Garrett Tomlinson as a public member to the council of the College of Alberta Psychologists for a term to expire on March 19, 2024.
OC 102/2022: Reappoints Catherine Ann Mardon as a public member to the council of the College of Dental Technologists of Alberta for a term to expire on March 20, 2024; appoints Ronald Gary Lock as a public member to the council of the College of Dental Technologists of Alberta for a term to expire on April 19, 2025.
OC 103/2022: Reappoints Julie Davis as a public member to the council of the College of Dietitians of Alberta for a term to expire on March 19, 2024; reappoints Geoffrey Waring Rabbie as a public member to the council of the College of Dietitians of Alberta for a term to expire on June 14, 2024.
OC 104/2022: Effective May 4, 2022, rescinds the appointment of Kate Erin Ruether as a public member to the council of the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Alberta; reappoints Domingo De La Cruz Chavez as a public member to the council of the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Alberta for a term to expire on March 20, 2023.
OC 105/2022: Reappoints David Albert Crocker as a public member to the council of the College of Midwives of Alberta for a term to expire on May 8, 2023; reappoints Chelsey Cabaj as a public member to the council of the College of Midwives of Alberta for a term to expire on October 17, 2023.
OC 106/2022: Reappoints Levonne Louie as a public member to the council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta for a term to expire on October 30, 2023; reappoints Laurie Irene Steinbach as a public member to the council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta for a term to expire on June 14, 2024.
OC 107/2022: Rescinds the appointment of Abhaya Simha Prasad as a public member to the council of the College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta; reappoints Louise Sharon Mosier as a public member to the council of the College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta for a term to expire on February 16, 2023.
OC 108/2022: Reappoints Dr. Hany Abdelhady Mahmoud Abdelhady, Munira Hanifmohamed Peermohamed and Joseph Zelmer as public members to the council of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta, each for a term to expire on March 20, 2023.
OC 109/2022: Reappoints Dennis Horrigan as a public member to the council of the Physiotherapy Alberta College + Association for a term to expire on May 8, 2023.
OC 110/2022: Appoints Mark Parsons as Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Relations.
OC 111/2022: Appoints 23 persons as members of the Land and Property Rights Tribunal, each for a term to expire on June 30, 2025.
OC 112/2022: Effective May 1, 2022, reappoints Douglas Noble, Brad Slorstad and Daryl Swenson as members of the Special Areas Board, each for a term to expire on April 22, 2024.
OC 113/2022: Appoints Bob Dhillon as a member of the Board of Governors of The Banff Centre for a term to expire on April 19, 2025.
OC 114/2022: Determines that the painting known as “Forest Blizzard / Blizzard sylvestre” to be temporarily displayed in the Glenbow Museum in an exhibition known as “Riopelle: The Call of Northern Landscapes and Indigenous Cultures” is of significance.
OC 115/2022: Proclaiming the Alberta Housing Amendment Act, 2021 in force on April 20, 2022.
Upcoming Events Calendar
May 11, 2022: CPC Leadership Debate to be held in Edmonton
May 18, 2022: Results of UCP Leadership review announced
June 28, 2022: New West Public Affairs presents Alberta Relaunch
September 10, 2022: New CPC Leader announced