The Weekly Roundup- August 22, 2022
A new survey from the Alberta Chamber of Commerce found that one in four business operators and almost the same number of Albertans list inflation as their top issue, beating out the previous top item of the economy, according to a new column from Chris Varcoe. Health care has risen to the second most important issue for business owners and the public at large alike in the survey.
Justice Minister Tyler Shandro once again pitched a new provincial police force last week, stating that under the proposed model, community detachments serving small municipalities and rural or remote areas would be the backbone of the service. The plan has been supported by some leadership contestants and opposed by others, along with a mixed reaction from Alberta municipalities.
Below, you’ll find a summary of recent activity in the UCP leadership race, other government announcements and Orders in Council passed since our last edition.
UCP Leadership Race Tracker
We’ll be using this section to apprise you of any major platform announcements, endorsements or other items of note related to leadership contestants. You can click through to their websites using the hyperlinks below.
Jason Markusoff broke down why the issues that are front of mind in the UCP leadership race are so different from those top of mind for all Albertans, and why that distinction will be difficult to reconcile with the provincial election looming so close on the horizon.
UCP candidates Rebecca Schulz and Travis Toews backed away from a forum co-hosted by Rebel News and pro-Alberta independence group Alberta Prosperity Project. Leela Aheer and Rajan Sawhney declined the invitation from the start.
Leela Aheer: No updates to report.
Brian Jean: Jean questioned why Danielle Smith stated she won’t run for the open seat of Calgary-Elbow, instead stating she wants to run in Livingstone-McLeod.
Todd Loewen: No updates to report.
Rajan Sawhney: No updates to report.
Danielle Smith: Smith released a video calling for unity amongst the UCP candidates.
Rebecca Schulz: Schulz did a sit down interview with Alberta Today, saying that she is the candidate who could bring the UCP to a new generation.
Travis Toews: Toews said that as Premier, he would do everything in his power to ensure that assisted dying isn’t offered to those suffering from mental illness.
Government of Alberta Announcements
More than $5 million in new grant funding will support Albertans of every age in their recovery from mental health and addiction challenges.
Young Albertans will have more camping options with $2 million from Alberta’s government going towards helping renovate the YMCA’s Camp Chief Hector.
Education Minister Adriana LaGrange touted additional funding going to schools in the form of more teachers and support staff hired, higher salaries as a result of new agreements and additional funding for enrollment growth.
The governments of Alberta and Canada joined in a grand opening celebration of a new 64-unit Southgate seniors’ complex in Lethbridge.
The newly launched Alberta is Calling campaign aims to attract skilled, educated and motivated talent from Vancouver and Toronto to consider moving their careers and future to Alberta.
Orders in Council
OC 292/2022: Reappoints Alex Pourbaix as chair of The Board of Governors of Mount Royal University for a term to expire on August 17, 2025; reappoints Chris Lee and Carrie Lonardelli as members of The Board of Governors of Mount Royal University, each for a term to expire on August 17, 2025; effective December 13, 2022, reappoints Thomas O’Leary as a member of The Board of Governors of Mount Royal University for a term to expire on December 12, 2025; appoints Robert Schaefer, to succeed Karl Johannson, as a member of The Board of Governors of Mount Royal University for a term to expire on August 17, 2025.
OC 293/2022: Reappoints Kathryn (Kate) Chisholm, Q.C., as chair of the board of The Governors of The University of Alberta for a term to expire on August 17, 2025; reappoints Daniel Eggert, Tom Ross, Q.C. and Rakesh Saraf as members of the board of The Governors of The University of Alberta, each for a term to expire on August 17, 2025; effective November 26, 2022, reappoints Guy Bridgeman as a member of the board of The Governors of The University of Alberta for a term to expire on November 25, 2025.
OC 294/2022: Reappoints Kris Mauthe, Marlea Sleeman, Paul Verhesen and Kristina Williams as members of the Board of Governors of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, each for a term to expire on August 17, 2025.
OC 295/2022: Reappoints James Cameron Bailey, Tonya Fleming and Lara Murphy as members of the Board of Governors of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, each for a term to expire on August 17, 2025.
OC 296/2022: Reappoints Brent Cage, Lydell Torgerson and Ron Wiebe as members of The Board of Governors of Northwestern Polytechnic, each for a term to expire on August 17, 2025.
OC 297/2022: Appoints Kristin Ward Diaz, 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 July 31, 2025.
OC 298/2022: Makes the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Amendment Regulation.
OC 299/2022: Effective August 22, 2022, appoints Allison Rippin Armstrong as a member of the board of directors of the Alberta Energy Regulator for a term to expire on August 21, 2027 and sets her remuneration during her appointment.
OC 300/2022: Makes the Utility Commodity Rebate Amendment Regulation to extend the length of the rebate.
OC 301/2022: Appoints Faraz Bawa, Samuel Crowfoot, Jessica Gill, Mohammed Ali Memon and Salimah Walji-Shivji, Q.C. as members of the Alberta Human Rights Commission, each for a term to expire on August 17, 2025.
Upcoming Events Calendar
August 30, 2022: Official UCP Leadership Debate (Edmonton)
September 10, 2022: New CPC Leader announced
October 6, 2022: New UCP Leader announced
October 21-23, 2022: UCP AGM at River Cree Resort
October 31, 2022: Alberta Legislature Session resumes