The Weekly Roundup- March 28, 2022
Well, we certainly aren’t mailing it in with this lengthy Monday morning edition of the Roundup.
It was a busy and chaotic week in Canadian politics with the Liberal government announcing a confidence and supply deal with the NDP that if held to by both sides will see the Liberals remain in power until 2025 and major policy planks of the NDP platform fulfilled including pharmacare and dental care. You can read New West Partner Michael Solberg’s analysis on the agreement here.
With more than 15,000 Albertans registered to participate in the Special General Meeting leadership review scheduled for April 9, the UCP has made a significant 11th hour change to the process. Rather than a one day, in person, vote as was previously scheduled, the UCP executive has moved to a mail-in ballot that will be distributed to all UCP members rather than just those registered for the SGM. That change will drag out the leadership review process into mid May, with results to be announced on May 18. The Premier requires 50 per cent plus one of the vote to continue in his role. You can expect much party infighting over the next two months until results are announced.
On Wednesday the Saskatchewan budget was tabled, forecasting a $463 million deficit with Finance Minister Donna Harpauer saying that “Saskatchewan is back on track” with growth largely driven by increasing prices for oil and potash.
At the end of this week the Legislature will rise for a two week constituency break that is sure to see the Premier and those loyal to him spreading out across the province and touting his successes related to jobs and the economy, and painting him as the right person to continue on in the role. When the house resumes, a new MLA will be among the crowd with Brian Jean to be sworn in April 5.
Below, you’ll find a recap of government legislation introduced and debated, government announcements made and Orders in Council passed since our last edition.
Government Legislation Recap
Bill 1: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Recognition Act ($)
Stage: Royal Assent received March 24, 2022
Notes: This bill honours Albertans who have done remarkable things caring for their communities including the presentation of 7,000 medals to recognize 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s service.
Bill 2: Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 ($)
Stage: Second Reading adjourned March 23, 2022
Notes: This bill consists of several legislative amendments that implement technical measures announced in Budget 2022 including red tape reduction through harmonizing federal and provincial tax legislation.
Bill 3: Special Days Act
Stage: Royal Assent received March 24, 2022
Notes: This bill will give ministers the authority to issue ministerial declarations to recognize special days in Alberta that will be tracked on a central web page. This will help raise awareness and designate a place where people can find the details on events like Black History Month or Francophonie Month.
Bill 4: Municipal Government (Face Mask and Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Bylaws) Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: Second Reading passed March 23, 2022
Notes: If passed, the legislation would require municipal bylaws relating to masks to prevent the spread of communicable diseases or COVID-19 vaccines be approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs in consultation with the chief medical officer of health.
Bill 5: Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: Second Reading adjourned March 22, 2022:
Notes: The bill would require all motorists traveling in the same direction to slow down to at least 60 km/h when passing a stopped roadside worker vehicle with its lights flashing and motorists traveling in the opposite direction on single lane highways to slow down to 60 km/h when passing.
Bill 6: Emblems of Alberta Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: First Reading passed March 17, 2022:
Notes: This bill would make ammolite the official gemstone of Alberta.
Bill 7: Appropriation Act, 2022 ($)
Stage: Royal Assent received March 24, 2022
Notes: The bill requests a total of $45 billion from the general revenue fund so that the government may meet its funding commitments as laid out in the 2022-23 government estimates. Additionally, the bill requests a total of $173 million to cover the Legislative Assembly’s expenses for the year as detailed in the offices of the Legislative Assembly estimates. The bill also includes $3.7 billion for capital investment, $1.4 billion for financial transactions, and $1.75 billion for contingencies.
Bill 8: Appropriation (Supplementary Supply) Act, 2022 ($)
Stage: Royal Assent received Mar. 24, 2022
Notes: Bill 8 provides authority for the government to pay from the general revenue fund for additional costs that are not already covered or otherwise provided for during the current fiscal year. Supplementary estimates include $1.2 billion in expense and $1 million in capital investment for items including sending aid and equipment to Ukraine, electricity rebates for Albertans and building municipal infrastructure.
Bill 9: Public’s Right to Know Act
Stage: First Reading passed March 22, 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: First Reading passed March 24, 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.
Government of Alberta Announcements
Funding supports for education in the recently passed budget were highlighted by Education MInister Adriana LaGrange.
Minister of Transportation Rajan Sawhney announced $30 million in grants for the commercial trucking industry over three years to support unemployed and underemployed Albertans returning to the workforce.
The UCP government highlighted the choice of Walmart Canada to invest $118 million to build a new 430,000 square foot fulfillment centre that will create about 325 new jobs in Rocky View County.
Orders in Council
OC 58/2022: Makes the Application in Respect of Regional Health Authorities Amendment Regulation.
OC 59/2022: Makes the Hospitalization Benefits Amendment Regulation including interest on capital project funding and extending the expiry to March 31, 2027.
OC 60/2022: Makes the Hospitals Foundation (Expiry Date Extension) Amendment Regulation extending the expiry to March 31, 2027.
OC 61/2022: Prescribes the amount of $42 139 000 to be paid to the Crown under agreement by The Workers’ Compensation Board for the purpose of defraying part of the Crown’s costs during the fiscal year 2021-2022 of administering the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
OC 62/2022: Approves the Veterinary Profession General (Expiry Date Extension) Amendment Regulation extending the expiry to March 31, 2027.
OC 63/2022: Appoints John Daniel and Elena Gould as members of The Governors of Athabasca University, each for a term to expire on March 22, 2025.
OC 64/2022: Appoints Sanjeev Kad as a member of the Board of Governors of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology for a term to expire on March 22, 2025.
OC 65/2022: Effective April 1, 2022, reappoints Bob Hawkesworth as a member of The Board of Governors of Bow Valley College for a term to expire on January 26, 2024.
OC 66/2022: Effective April 1, 2022, reappoints Kristine Cassie, Nolan Johnson, Janene Moch and Calvin Scott as members of The Board of Governors of Lethbridge College, each for a term to expire on March 9, 2024.
OC 67/2022: Appoints Gregorio Oberti as a member of the Board of Governors of The Banff Centre for a term to expire on March 22, 2025.
OC 68/2022: Effective April 18, 2022, appoints Matthew Oliver as a member of the Alberta Utilities Commission for a term to expire on April 17, 2027.
OC 69/2022: Effective April 18, 2022, nominates John McCarthy as a person who may be selected as an acting member of the Alberta Utilities Commission, for a term to expire on April 17, 2027.
OC 70/2022: Orders the Alberta Utilities Commission to inquire into and report to the Minister of Energy on matters relating to hydrogen blending into gas distribution systems and determines that the Alberta Utilities Commission has the power to make orders relating to costs with respect to a hearing or proceeding under the inquiry.
OC 71/2022: Effective April 1, 2022, appoints Terri Pelton as the Child and Youth Advocate for a term to expire on March 31, 2027.
OC 72/2022: Reappoints Brenda Kenny to the board of directors of Alberta Innovates and redesignates her as Chair of the board of directors of Alberta Innovates for a term to expire on March 22, 2024.
OC 73/2022: Appoints Peggy Makofka as a member of the Fatality Review Board for a term to expire on March 22, 2025.
OC 74/2022: Makes the Missing Persons Amendment Regulation.
OC 75/2022: Transfers part of the contingency supply vote of the President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022 to other Ministers and authorizes the Ministers to spend the amounts for certain purposes.
OC 76/2022: Makes the Salary Restraint Amendment Regulation.
OC 77/2022: Effective April 1, 2022, reappoints Matthew Bootle and Gail Harding as members of the Alberta Securities Commission, each for a term to expire on March 31, 2025; effective April 1, 2022, designates Raymond Crossley as the lead independent member of the Alberta Securities Commission for a term to expire on March 31, 2023.
Upcoming Events Calendar
April 5, 2022: Brian Jean sworn in as UCP MLA
April 9, 2022: United Conservative Party online Special General Meeting. Leadership Review ballots mailed to party members
April 19, 2022: Deadline for candidates to apply for CPC leadership
May 18, 2022: Results of UCP Leadership review announced
September 10, 2022: New CPC Leader announced