The Weekly Roundup-February 14, 2022
Weekly Roundup
For the past week much of the attention across the country has been focused on continuing blockades at border crossings including in Coutts and at protests in various cities participating in so-called Freedom Convoys, including in Edmonton. The Premier has stated that no Canadian politicians should be promoting the blockades and that it’s up to the RCMP to enforce the law in Coutts. Emerging news this morning is that the Prime Minister will invoke the Emergency Measures Act after meeting with Canada's premiers.
It’s official that the Second Session of the Thirtieth Legislature will be prorogued on February 21, with the Third Session beginning with the Speech from the Throne on February 22. This means that all bills that were previously on the Order Paper and did not receive Royal Assent are terminated, providing a fresh start for the new session. Then, join New West Public Affairs on February 24th just hours after the Government of Alberta tables Budget 2022 for a break down of the numbers and what it all means for the province.
Alberta is in the process of lifting COVID-19 restrictions, with the most notable change being that the restrictions exemption program is no longer operational. As of midnight Sunday, masks are no longer required in schools or for those under 12 in any setting. You can read a full list of changes in effect now and those on the horizon in steps 2 and 3 here. As of February 10, 90 per cent of Albertans aged 12 and older have received one dose of vaccine. While positive case counts no longer reflect how many Albertans have COVID-19 due to testing capacity, as of February 11 there are 1,566 in hospital with 127 in intensive care and 3,741 deaths.
Below, you’ll find a recap of other government announcements made and Orders in Council passed since our last edition.
Government of Alberta Announcements
On February 16, the Premier is hosting a one-day Summit on Fairness for Newcomers focused on improving the newcomer experience and attracting international skills and talent.
Minister of Service Alberta Nate Glubish issued a statement on Alberta projects attracting over $41 million in funding from the Rapid Response Stream of the Universal Broadband Fund.
Minister of Energy Sonya Savage issued a statement on the filing of a notice of intent for a legacy NAFTA claim, calling it the “best avenue to recover the government’s investment in the Keystone XL project”.
A $1.53-million investment under the Workforce Partnerships program will support 16 projects aimed at economic growth and diversification.
Orders in Council
OC 18/2022: Orders that the transaction under which CGC Inc. or any affiliate of CGC Inc. acquires the fee simple interest in certain land for the purpose of constructing and operating a wallboard manufacturing plant is excluded from the operation of the Foreign Ownership of Land Regulations, except for sections 22 and 25.
OC 19/2022: To prorogue, effective February 21, 2022, the Second Session of the Thirtieth Legislature of Alberta, and to convene the Third Session of the Thirtieth Legislature of Alberta on February 22, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
OC 20/2022: Effective April 1, 2022, amends Order in Council numbered O.C. 1/2008 allowing the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass to establish the boundaries of the area that constitutes an urban service area and permit all land outside that urban service area but within the specialized municipality to be considered a municipal district.
OC 21/2022: Effective May 1, 2022, reappoints Paulina Hiebert and James McKillop as directors of the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation, each for a term to expire on April 30, 2025.
OC 22/2022: Transfers $378,000,000 of the contingencies supply vote of the President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022 to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development and authorizes the Minister to spend the amount for agricultural income support caused by drought and emergency assistance for wildfires; transfers $1,151,000,000 of the contingencies supply vote of the President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022 to the Minister of Health and authorizes the Minister to spend the amount for COVID-19 pandemic response.
OC 23/2022: Effective March 1, 2022, reappoints Monica Storer, employer nominee, nominated by the City of Calgary, as a member of the board of directors of the SFPP Corporation for a term to expire on December 31, 2024.
OC 24/2022: Appoints Shannon Patershuk, employer nominee, nominated by the President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance on behalf of the Government, as a member of the Management Employees Pension Board for a further term to expire on December 31, 2022; appoints Renée Redinger, the nominee nominated by the Public Service Commissioner, as a non-voting member of the Management Employees Pension Board for a term to expire on December 31, 2024.
OC 25/2022: Approves the dissolution of 51092 Alberta Ltd., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Governors of The University of Alberta.
Upcoming Events Calendar
February 15, 2022: Last day for the Fort McMurray - Lac La Biche by-election to be called
February 22, 2022: Speech from the Throne
February 24, 2022: Alberta Budget Day
April 9, 2022: United Conservative Party Special General Meeting (Leadership Review)