The Weekly Roundup - March 6, 2023
The Alberta Legislature and the House of Commons will both resume sitting this week, the former after the budget was tabled last Tuesday and the latter after revelations regarding Chinese interference in Canada’s electoral process will be brought up for the first time in Question Period. In case you missed New West’s budget analysis or webinar, you can view them using the links provided.
In a news conference last week, Government House Leader Joseph Schow indicated that the UCP’s spring session will see MLAs under the dome for a good time, not a long time with only three government bills to be tabled. The three bills include two omnibus bills tied to reducing red tape and implementing the UCP’s spring budget as well as one additional bill related to strengthening firearms rights in Alberta.
This week a federal committee will review the report of the federal electoral boundaries commission report for Alberta that proposes three new seats to be created in the province. For the next federal election five new seats will be added, resulting in 343 seats total. CBC took a look at what impact those additional seats could mean for Canadian politics.
Below, you’ll find a recap of the top federal and provincial stories of the week, government announcements made and Orders in Council passed since our last edition.
Top Federal Stories of the Week
Chinese interference in Canadian politics continues to be top of mind, in particular with the Prime Minister repeatedly refusing calls for a public inquiry into the matter. The story will continue to have legs this week with the topic sure to come up in Question Period as well as at another committee meeting into foreign election interference on Thursday where Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc will be making an appearance.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will visit Canada this week and address Parliament on Wednesday. The visit will highlight the strong ties between Canada and the EU.
Will a date be revealed for the federal budget? If the Liberal government was looking for a way to change the channel on the story of Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections, announcing a date for this spring’s budget may do the trick. Since the House will be a bit busy with the visit from President Biden the week of the 20th, our money on it being tabled the week of the 27th before MPs head back to their ridings for two weeks to spread the good word.
Top Alberta Stories of the Week
After a busy week for Finance Minister Travis Toews, who is on the province-wide speaking circuit following the tabling of the UCP’s budget, he may give an indication this week on whether he will choose to run in the spring election. The one-term MLA has been a steady guiding force for the UCP caucus, and his strong second place showing in the UCP leadership race means he continues to have an important role in the party.
Estimates for all government ministries begin today and will be a main focus for government and opposition over the next two weeks. The estimates process sees cabinet ministers and departmental officials appear before legislative committee to answer questions related to their respective portfolio. With at least three hours devoted to each ministry, including Executive Council, the format allows for opposition MLAs to get a sustained format to ask questions of cabinet ministers that Question Period doesn’t allow.
The NDP under Rachel Notley are going all-in on Calgary, announcing that their campaign headquarters for the spring election will be based in YYC, a departure from their traditional HQ in Edmonton. Notley has also reiterated that key focuses for the NDP platform will be education, health care and affordability.
Government of Alberta Announcements
Sharing the good news of Budget 2023 was a top priority, with news releases and conference highlighting keeping communities safe, providing inflationary relief to Albertans, supporting students and the education system, investing in new schools, strengthening health care including continuing care, building economic corridors, attracting investment and ensuring a balanced budget sheet going forward.
Energy Minister Pete Guthrie will attend the CERAWeek conference in Houston, Texas this week to promote Alberta’s energy sector.
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas issued a statement on a recent tailings leak at Imperial Oil’s Kearl project site. The Chief of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation says that the leaks have caused great anxiety.
Ministers Brian Jean and Rajan Sawhney recently traveled to Korea and discussed opportunities in hydrogen and small modular reactor technology for Alberta.
The UCP government provided a 90-day update on their Health Care Action Plan and their outcomes to date in improving four key areas of service.
Orders in Council were approved on February 28 on topics including appointees to various boards and councils, proclaiming the Mineral Resource Development Act and postponing the proclamation of the Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2022 that requires motorists to slow down, when passing all roadside workers, when vehicle lights are flashing and they are stopped on the highway. Implementation of the planned roadside worker safety will take place in September following a public education campaign to educate Albertans of the changes.
Upcoming Events Calendar
March 2023: U.S. President Joe Biden makes his first official visit to Canada.
May 29, 2023: The next Provincial General Election is scheduled to be held
The provincial pre-election period acts as a rare, opportune moment for organizations to be heard. As the UCP and NDP look to the May 29th election, both sides of the aisle are listening — and listening hard. It will be instrumental for companies across the province to engage with and catalyze the support of champions from both parties, with the help of a strong and strategic government relations plan.
Because of this advantageous time in Alberta politics, New West is launching Lighthouse: a unique pre-election offering that makes government relations accessible and affordable. Lighthouse is a subsidized version of our full suite of government relations & public affairs services, tailored to the provincial election.