The Weekly Roundup - December 2, 2022

The 4th Session of the 30th Legislature began on Tuesday with a Speech from the Throne delivered by Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani. The speech outlined the government’s priorities for the fall session of affordability, improving Alberta’s health care system, standing up for the province in confederation and creating jobs while strengthening the economy. You can view New West’s analysis of the Throne Speech here.

Following a motion from Government House Leader Joseph Schow, the assembly calendar has been extended to December 22 and the house will sit on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in addition to afternoons.

New chairs were also named to various committees following a motion from the Government House Leader, as follows:

• Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund - Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ron Orr

• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices - Drayton Valley-Devon MLA Mark Smith

• Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members' Public Bills - Peace River MLA Dan Williams

• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing - Livingstone-Macleod MLA Roger Reid

• Standing Committee on Alberta's Economic Future - Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken

• Select Special Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner Search Committee - Banff-Kananaskis MLA Miranda Rosin

Former Premier Jason Kenney announced his resignation as MLA on Tuesday following 25 years in elected politics at the federal and provincial levels. His resignation leaves two Calgary constituencies without an MLA with no plans for a byelection to be held prior to next spring’s general election.

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: ​​Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act
Stage: Second Reading adjourned on amendment December 1, 2022
Notes:  The Premier introduced the bill stating that the legislation is designed to be a constitutional shield to protect Albertans from unconstitutional federal laws and policies that harm the province’s economy or violate Alberta’s provincial rights. The legislation is keeping columnists and politicians alike busy across the country, debating the merits of the legislation and the impact it could have on confederation if passed. The opposition NDP forced a recorded vote at First Reading, which led to showing UCP Leadership contestants who once decried the bill as a “fairy tale” (Jean, Sawhney and Toews) voting in favour. The government took the step of issuing a clarifying news release on the bill regarding the extent to which the legislation would allow cabinet to unilaterally amend legislation.

Bills on the Order Paper set to be introduced:

Bill 2: Inflation Relief Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 
Bill 3: Property Rights Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 
Bill 4: Alberta Health Care Insurance Amendment Act, 2022 
Bill 5: Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 (No. 2) 

Government of Alberta Announcements

• The provincial and federal government have partnered to provide over $174 million for a one-time payment and wage top-up for early childhood educators to help recruit and retain staff.

• Through its Investment and Growth Fund, Alberta’s government has awarded $2.85 million to Edmonton-based food processor Siwin Foods to expand to a new facility.

• Athabasca University’s Board of Governors have unanimously approved a new Investment Management Agreement with Alberta’s government.

• Another announcement was held on ​​construction slated to begin in late 2022 on the $112-million interchange at Highway 2 and 65th avenue in Leduc that will be cost-shared by the Government of Alberta and the City of Leduc.

• The Premier held a news conference with multiple ministers highlighting the government’s indexing of social benefit programs beginning January 1, 2023.

Orders in Council

OC 377/2022: Makes the Animal Health Regulations (Expiry Date Extensions) Amendment Regulation extending various expiry dates to 2028.

OC 378/2022: Authorizes the President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance to enter guarantee agreements in respect of the indebtedness of feeder associations and increases the loan guarantee maximum under the Act from $100 million to $150 million.

OC 379/2022: Reappoints Michael Marcotte as a member and redesignates him as chair of The Board of Governors of Lethbridge College for a term to expire on November 29, 2025.

OC 380/2022: ​​Appoints Ashley Snape as a member of The Board of Governors of NorQuest College for a term to expire on November 29, 2025.

OC 381-83/2022: Extends the expiry of three regulations tied to the Emissions Management and Climate Resilience Act to 2027.

OC 384/2022: Makes the Pesticide Sales, Handling, Use and Application (Expiry Date Extension) Amendment Regulation extending the expiry to 2028.

OC 385/2022: Makes the Remediation Amendment Regulation by striking out the word aerial in one section and extending the expiry to 2028.

OC 386/2022: Makes the Expropriation Act Forms (Expiry Date Extension) Amendment Regulation extending the expiry to 2027.

OC 387/2022: Makes the Judgment Interest Amendment Regulation setting the interest rate at 3.8% per year for 2023.