The Weekly Roundup - December 19, 2022
Following a quick three week session that saw Premier Danielle Smith deliver on her campaign commitment to introduce a Sovereignty Act, the House completed its business on Thursday. In total, seven government bills were passed, including the aforementioned Sovereignty Act and $2.8 billion in affordability measures. One private member’s bill from UCP MLA Dan Williams also received Royal Assent, raising the provincial charitable tax credit from 10 per cent to 60 per cent for donations under $200. The Legislature is expected to reconvene in February, where the Premier has hinted that addressing high auto insurance rates will be a focus as well as the first budget of her Premiership.
As the year comes to a close, we’ll be back later this month with a recap of the top stories of 2022, and key items to watch for in 2023.
Below, you’ll find a recap of government legislation debated and passed, government announcements made and Orders in Council passed since our last edition.
Government Legislation Recap
Bill 1: Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act
Stage: Royal Assent received December 15, 2022. Comes into force December 15, 2022.
Bill 2: Inflation Relief Statutes Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: Royal Assent received December 15, 2022. Comes into force December 15, 2022, with exceptions.
Bill 3: Property Rights Statutes Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: Royal Assent received December 15, 2022. Comes into force December 15, 2022.
Bill 4: Alberta Health Care Insurance Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: Royal Assent received December 15, 2022. Comes into force December 15, 2022.
Bill 5: Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 (No. 2)
Stage: Royal Assent received December 15, 2022. Comes into force December 15, 2022, with exceptions.
Bill 6: Police Amendment Act, 2022
Stage: Royal Assent received December 15, 2022. Comes into force on proclamation, with exceptions.
Bill 7: Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 (No. 2)
Stage: Royal Assent received December 15, 2022. Comes into force December 15, 2022.
Government of Alberta Announcements
Alberta’s 2021 judicial compensation commission is inviting public submissions on compensation levels for Alberta judges.
As part of the new agreement between the Alberta government and the Alberta Medical Association, the Business Costs Program will see an increase of $20 million annually.
Alberta’s government will be implementing changes to parts of the Occupational Health and Safety Code with changes taking effect on March 31, 2023.
A very short letter was sent by Justice Minister Tyler Shandro to the federal Minister of Justice, stating that jurisdiction over the handling of charges under the federal Firearms Act be taken over by Alberta’s Crown prosecutors. A protocol for dealing with charges has been sent to Crown prosecutors.
Following consultation, a new five-year Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan was released and focuses on issues of importance for spurring economic development in rural Alberta.
An Edmonton Public Safety and Community Response Task Force and a Calgary Public Safety and Community Response Task Force have been named and will coordinate a response to addictions, homelessness and public safety issues between the province, city and local partners.
The provincial government is investing $750,000 over three years in the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society to continue their preservation and conservation work of the park in Calgary.
Now that construction of the $1.4 billion Calgary Cancer Centre is complete, Alberta Infrastructure is handing over the health facility to AHS to complete the final stages.
Energy Minister Pete Guthrie issued a statement on Alberta’s energy sector after attending the 2022 Energy Council conference.
Orders in Council
OC 392/2022: Makes the Community Health Councils (Expiry Date Extension) Amendment Regulation extending the expiry to October 31, 2028.
OC 393/2022: Makes the Subsidized Public Housing Amendment Regulation.
OC 394/2022: Appoints Sherri Evers as a member of The Board of Governors of Mount Royal University for a term to expire on December 13, 2025.
OC 395/2022: Appoints Perry Stein as member of The Board of Governors of Lethbridge College for a term to expire on December 13, 2025.
OC 396/2022: Appoints Tammy Burke and Brenda Rebman as members of The Board of Governors of Red Deer Polytechnic, each for a term to expire on December 13, 2025.
OC 397/2022: Orders that, for the purposes of section 33.1(3.1) of the Alberta Housing Act, the CPI adjustment year is the 2023 CPI adjustment year.
OC 398/2022: Makes the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped General Amendment Regulation to list the CPI adjustment year as 2023.
OC 399/2022: Makes the Income Support, Training and Health Benefits Amendment Regulation to list the CPI adjustment year as 2023.
OC 400/2022: Makes the Seniors Benefit Act General Amendment Regulation to list the CPI adjustment year as 2023.
OC 401/2022: Makes the Seniors’ Property Tax Deferral (Expiry Date Extension) Amendment Regulation extending the expiry to March 31, 2028.
OC 402/2022: Makes the Administrative Penalty Amendment Regulation.
OC 403/2022: Makes the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction Amendment Regulation.
OC 404/2022: Makes The Lloydminster Charter Amendment Regulation.
OC 405/2022: Makes the Order Annexing Land from The Municipal District of Greenview No. 16 to the Town of Fox Creek.
OC 406/2022: Makes the Order Annexing Land from Wheatland County to the Village of Hussar.
OC 407/2022: Makes the City of Airdrie Downtown Community Revitalization Levy Regulation.
OC 408/2022: Makes the Cochrane Community Revitalization Levy (Expiry Date Extension) Amendment Regulation extending the expiry to 2032.
OC 409/2022: Makes the Provincial Court Judges and Applications Judges Compensation Amendment Regulation.
OC 410/2022: Effective January 1, 2023, appoints Jerry (Javaid) Naqvi as a member of the Council of the Alberta Order of Excellence for a term to expire on December 31, 2025.
OC 411/2022: Rescinds the reappointment, effective January 1, 2023, of Dr. Akolisa Ufodike as a member of the Audit Committee who is now serving as Deputy Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism.