30th Alberta Legislature
The 30th Alberta Legislative Assembly was constituted after the general election on April 16, 2019. The United Conservative Party (UCP), led by Jason Kenney, won a majority of seats and formed the government. The New Democrats, led by outgoing Premier Rachel Notley, won the second most seats and formed the official opposition.[1] The premiership of Jason Kenney began on April 30, 2019, when Jason Kenney and his first cabinet were sworn in by Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Lois Mitchell. On October 11, 2022, Kenney resigned, and Danielle Smith, the new leader of the UCP, was sworn in as premier by Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani. The 30th Legislature was dissolved on May 1, 2023, triggering a general election on May 29.
| 30th Alberta Legislature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Majority parliament | |||
| 21 May 2019 – 1 May 2023 | |||
 | |||
| Parliament leaders | |||
| Premier | Jason Kenney April 30, 2019 – October 11, 2022 | ||
| Danielle Smith October 11, 2022 – present | |||
| Cabinet | Smith cabinet | ||
| Leader of the Opposition | Rachel Notley April 30, 2019 – present | ||
| Party caucuses | |||
| Government | United Conservative Party | ||
| Opposition | New Democratic Party | ||
| Legislative Assembly | |||
| Speaker of the Assembly | Nathan Cooper May 21, 2019 — present | ||
| Government House Leader | Jason Nixon April 30, 2019 — October 23, 2022 | ||
| Joseph Schow October 24, 2022 – present | |||
| Opposition House Leader | Deron Bilous May 21, 2019 – February 24, 2020 | ||
| Heather Sweet February 25, 2020 – February 7, 2021 | |||
| Christina Gray February 8, 2021 – Present | |||
| Members | 87 MLA seats | ||
| Sovereign | |||
| Monarch | Elizabeth II 6 February 1952 – 8 September 2022 | ||
| Charles III 8 September 2022 – present | |||
| Lieutenant Governor | Lois Mitchell June 12, 2015 – August 26, 2020 | ||
| Salma Lakhani August 26, 2020 – present | |||
| Sessions | |||
| 1st session 22 May 2019 – 24 February 2020 | |||
| 2nd session 25 February 2020 – | |||
| 3rd session 22 February 2022 – 26 May 2022 | |||
| 4th session 29 November 2022 – 1 May 2023 | |||
| |||
First session
editAmong the legislation adopted during the first session of the 30th Legislature, An Act to Repeal the Carbon Tax (Bill 1) repealed the Climate Leadership Act and its carbon levy, Bill 2 amended the Employment Standards Code and the Labour Relations Code to change how overtime hours are calculated from time-and-a-half to straight time, reduced the minimum wage for workers aged 13 to 17 to $13 an hour (from $15 an hour) and changed rules for union certification processes,[2] Bill 26 exempted the Labour Relations Code from applying to farming or ranching employees and exempted farms with less than five employees from the Employment Standards Code and the requirement to hold workplace insurance,[3] Bill 8 replaced the School Act with the Education Act which, among other changes, included eliminating of certain protections of gay–straight alliances and eliminating the restriction on the number of charter schools that are permitted,[4][5] and Bills 7 and 29 amended the Municipal Government Act to allow individual municipalities to offer tax deferrals or exemptions for the purpose of encouraging the development of non-residential properties.[6][7] Bill 19 renamed the Climate Change and Emissions Management Act to the Emissions Management and Climate Resilience Act and established new rules for targets, prices and credits applicable to industrial emitters.[8] Bill 22 was an omnibus bill that amended, repealed or enacted numerous acts and included the transferring of the Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund and funds invested by the Workers Compensation Board to the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, dissolving the Office of the Election Commissioner and the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation, repealing the Alberta Sport Connection Act, Social Care Facilities Review Committee Act, the Alberta Competitiveness Act, and the Alberta Capital Finance Authority Act while enacting the Local Authorities Capital Financing Act.[9][10] Bill 25, among other measures aimed at red tape reduction, repealed the Developmental Disabilities Foundation Act and the Small Power Research and Development Act, as well as dissolved the Health Professions Advisory Board, created provisions to allow digital signature to give consent for organ donation, and provided greater flexibility for the Glenbow Museum to loan out its collection.[11]
Among financial measures, Bill 3 lowered the province's corporate tax rate from 12% to 8%,[12] and Bill 12 created a 10-year freeze on oil and gas royalty rates for newly drilled wells.[13] Legislative measures arising from the 2019 Alberta budget were implemented in Bills 20 and 21. Bill 20 repealed Edmonton's and Calgary's City Charters Fiscal Framework Act and replaced it with the new Local Government Fiscal Framework Act and the Public Transit and Green Infrastructure Project Act; repealed the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit Act and replaced it with the Film and Television Tax Credit Act;[14] repealed the Access to the Future Act regarding advanced education, the Alberta Cancer Prevention Legacy Act regarding cancer prevention, and the Investing in a Diversified Alberta Economy Act regarding tax credits for investment in small non-oil/gas-related businesses;[15] eliminated the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Fund which was a security deposit fund for land reclamation resulting from industrial activities, and the Lottery Fund which had re-direct gaming revenue to charities; and raised tobacco taxes.[16] Bill 21, among other measures, ended the province tuition freeze, increased student loan interest rates by 1%, ended indexation of the bottom tax bracket and of the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, and allows replacement workers to be used in the public sector.[17]
In addition to the Public Sector Wage Arbitration Deferral Act (Bill 9),[18] new acts that were created included the Red Tape Reduction Act (Bill 4) to require reports on government initiatives to prevent unnecessary regulatory and administrative requirements. The Fair Registration Practices Act (Bill 11) established the Fair Registration Practices Office to facilitate the use of foreign credentials within professional organizations,[19] and the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation Act (Bill 14) established the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation to facilitate investment by indigenous groups in natural resource projects.[20] The Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act (Bill 28) allowed Alberta to join British Columbia's class-action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers.[21]
Private member's bills
editTwo Private member's bills were passed by the Alberta Legislature during the first session. United Conservative Party MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk's Protection of Students with Life-threatening Allergies Act (Bill 201) requires all publicly funded schools to have adrenalin autoinjectors (EpiPens) at the ready, should someone have an unexpected, life-threatening allergic reaction.[22] Bill 201 received Royal Assent on June 28, 2019, and came into force on January 1, 2020.
UCP MLA Mike Ellis' Child, Youth and Family Enhancement (Protecting Alberta's Children) Amendment Act, 2019 (Bill 202, also known as Serenity's Law) built onto the previous legislated requirement for adults to report child abuse to a child welfare director, allowing an individual to report abuse to police and increasing the fines for failure to report from $2,000 to $10,000. The bill was proposed in response to the 2014 death of a four year old named Serenity who died after falling from a tire swing in Maskwacis, and a subsequent panel to investigate the province's child intervention system. Bill 202 received Royal Assent and came into force on October 30, 2019.[23]
Second session
editThe second session opened on February 25, 2020, with no changes to the Executive Council of Alberta. The session would soon be interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta and numerous health and COVID-related legislation would be adopted. Addressing the pandemic, the Tenancies Statutes (Emergency Provisions) Amendment Act, 2020 (Bill 11) and Commercial Tenancies Protection Act (Bill 23) prohibited residential and commercial evictions and rent increases; Public Health (Emergency Powers) Amendment Act, 2020 (Bill 10) and COVID-19 Pandemic Response Statutes Amendment Act, 2020 (Bill 24) gave any minister in the Executive Council the ability to make a law outside of the legislature (though this would be repealed in Bill 66),[24] expanded certain powers held by the Minister of Health and the Chief Medical Officer to apply beyond public health emergencies, created a right to unpaid COVID-related leave for employees; Emergency Management Amendment Act, 2020 (No. 2) (Bill 13) created new offences related to price fixing, travel, and refusing to render expert aid or be conscripted during a state of emergency; Utility Payment Deferral Program Act (Bill 14) created an electricity and natural gas Utility Payment Deferral Program; Bill 70 provided liability protection to long-term care and supportive-living facilities and their employees; and Bill 71 inserted "COVID-19 Vaccination Leave" into the Employment Standards.[25][26][27][28] Other health-related legislation included the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2020 (Bill 30) that created regulations to allow for-profit corporations to charge the province for health services and conduct surgeries in private clinics, as well as bring the Health Quality Council under the direction of the Minister of Health.[29] Bill 17 was adopted as the government's response to JH v Alberta Health Services that found several sections of the Mental Health Act to be unconstitutional.[30] Bill 19 renamed the Tobacco and Smoking Reduction Act to the Tobacco, Smoking and Vaping Reduction Act and inserted new regulations to address vaping.[31]
New acts created during the second session included the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act (Bill 1) which creates a definition of "essential infrastructure" and increases penalties for related trespassing (Trespass to Premises Act) and vandalism including warrantless arrests;[32] the Protecting Survivors of Human Trafficking Act (Bill 8) which allows a court to issue a Human Trafficking Protection Order with conditions to protect victims;[33] the Provincial Administrative Penalties Act (Bill 21) created SafeRoads AB and the Immediate Roadside Sanction program to administer penalties for impaired driving, rather than the court system;[34] the Alberta Investment Attraction Act (Bill 33) created the Invest Alberta Corporation to promote investment activities;[35] the Geothermal Resource Development Act (Bill 36) and the Mineral Resource Development Act (Bill 82) to expand the jurisdiction of the Alberta Energy Regulator to include geothermal-related activities and the mining of certain metals and minerals.[36][37] the Financing Alberta's Strategic Transportation Act (Bill 43) to allow tolls to be used on roads and bridges;[38] the Citizen Initiative Act (Bill 51) and Recall Act (Bill 52) to create mechanisms for citizens to petition for an initiative or recall election;[39][40] the Freedom to Care Act (Bill 58) to create liability protection and regulatory exemptions that apply to volunteers doing unpaid work for non-profits;[41] the Captive Insurance Companies Act (Bill 76) to legalize captive insurance and;[42] the Trails Act (Bill 79) to regulate recreational trails on public lands.[43]
Fiscal Measures and Taxation Act, 2020 (Bill 5) implemented the legislative amendments resulting from the 2020 budget, including extending the province's tourism levy to short-term rentals booked through online platforms.[44] Bill 22 was an omnibus bill that addressed numerous topics aimed at "red tape reduction" and, among other items, repealed the Recreation Development Act, dissolved Energy Efficiency Alberta, and removed the restrictions that members of corporate or non-profit boards of directors, as well as applicants for grazing dispositions on public lands, be residents of Alberta.[45] Bill 25 requires scrap metal dealers to report transactions of certain metals to police.[46] Bill 2 ended prohibition in Cardston and Warner Counties.[47] Bill 18 created the Alberta Parole Board to take over the responsibilities of the Parole Board of Canada while Bill 16 expanded the mandate of the Victims of Crime Fund to also include funding for initiatives that promote public safety.[48] Bill 12 allows the Orphan Well Association to operate abandoned wells and pipelines.[49] Concerning future elections, Bill 26 expanded the scope of what a provincial referendum can consider and increased the spending limits of third-party advertisers, while Bill 29 increased donation limits applicable to local government elections, extended the deadline for donation disclosure statements until after the election has occurred, and required unspent campaign funds be donated to a charity.[50]
Members of the 30th Assembly
editSeating plan
editBy-elections
edit| By-election | Date | Incumbent | Party | Winner | Party | Cause | Retained | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks-Medicine Hat | November 8, 2022 | Michaela Frey | United Conservative | Danielle Smith | United Conservative | Resigned to provide a seat for new UCP leader and Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith. | Yes | ||
| Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche | March 15, 2022 | Laila Goodridge | United Conservative | Brian Jean | United Conservative | Resigned to run federally in Fort McMurray—Cold Lake; elected. | Yes | ||
Notes and References
edit- ^ Bellefontaine, Michelle; Senger, Emily; Rieger, Sarah (Apr 16, 2019). "Jason Kenney rides UCP wave to majority government in Alberta". CBC News. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ Bennett, Dean (June 6, 2019). "Alberta bill to overhaul workplace rules passes second reading after marathon debate". Global News. Archived from the original on September 14, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ Stephenson, Amanda (November 20, 2019). "UCP unveils Bill 6 changes: New rules create exemptions for small farms". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- ^ French, Janet (June 8, 2019). "The Education Act: what's in that legislation?". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ Ramsay, Caley (July 5, 2019). "Controversial Alberta education bill passes after marathon debate". Global News. Archived from the original on October 21, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ Bellefontaine, Michelle (June 4, 2019). "New bill gives Alberta municipalities more power to offer tax breaks". CBC News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ French, Janet (November 27, 2019). "Manufacturers, oil and gas industrial sites could get property tax break under new bill". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ Fletcher, Robson (October 29, 2019). "How Alberta will keep its $30-per-tonne carbon tax but make it easier for some big emitters to avoid paying". CBC News. Archived from the original on November 20, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ Dyer, Kelsey (November 19, 2019). "'Significant lack of trust': Reaction to UCP plan to transfer teacher pensions". CTV News. Archived from the original on November 20, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ French, Janet (November 22, 2019). "Election commissioner officially ousted with Bill 22 passage". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ Cook, Stephen David (November 18, 2019). "Red tape reduction bill proposes slew of changes to 6 ministries". CBC News. Archived from the original on November 20, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- ^ Clancy, Clare (July 10, 2019). "A look at the 13 bills that passed during Alberta legislature session". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ Jaremko, Deborah (June 25, 2019). "Alberta introduces legislation to guarantee oil and gas royalties". Pipeline News. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ Labine, Jeff (October 26, 2019). "Video game developer 'disappointed' province axed digital media tax credit". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on January 5, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Zabjek, Alexandra (November 8, 2016). "Alberta wants to kickstart investment with tax credits". CBC News. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Bellefontaine, Michelle (October 28, 2019). "Alberta government plans sweeping changes through 2 omnibus bills". CBC News. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ French, Janet (October 29, 2019). "Slew of legislative changes would give government greater bargaining power, eliminate dedicated funds". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on January 10, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "Alberta legislature boss chides both UCP, NDP in earplug spat". Global News. June 25, 2019. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ Leavitt, Kieran (June 19, 2019). "New office will oversee Alberta regulatory bodies' application processes". The Star. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ Bellefontaine, Michelle (October 8, 2019). "Government plans to help First Nations, Métis groups get capital for resource projects". CBC News. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- ^ Antoneshyn, Alex (November 21, 2019). "Alberta the third province to join B.C.-led opioid lawsuit". CTV News. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- ^ French, Janet (June 14, 2019). "Canadian allergy organizations laud Alberta MLA's private member's bill". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- ^ Johnston, Janice (October 30, 2019). "Serenity's Law receives royal assent". CBC News. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- ^ "New Alberta public health bill repeals controversial COVID-19 powers". thelawyersdaily.ca. LexisNexis Canada. April 21, 2021. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ French, Janet (April 7, 2020). "Bills would grant new emergency powers, help victims of human trafficking". CBC News. Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Johnson, Lisa (April 25, 2020). "UCP going 'back to the drawing board' on controversial Bill 10, Kenney says". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Joannou, Ashley (May 7, 2020). "Alberta introduces bill that will offers loans to utility companies to cover deferral program". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Bellefontaine, Michelle (April 22, 2021). "Alberta legislation would shield continuing-care operators from COVID-19 lawsuits". CBC News. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Woods, Melanie (July 30, 2020). "Alberta's Bill 30: What You Need To Know About Incoming Health Care Changes". HuffPost Canada. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
- ^ "'Right thing to do': Alberta introduces Mental Health Act changes to protect patients' rights". CBC News. June 4, 2020. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Johnson, Lisa (June 3, 2020). "Alberta tables legislation to prohibit minors from vaping but doesn't ban flavours". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ Fine, Sean (February 26, 2020). "Proposed law would imprison, heavily fine pipeline protesters". The Globe and Mail. p. A6.
- ^ Joannou, Ashley (April 7, 2020). "Alberta tables bill to protect human trafficking victims". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ Goulet, Justin (June 4, 2020). "Province introduces legislation to get impaired drivers off roads". Lethbridge News Now.
- ^ Condon, Olivia (July 8, 2020). "Proposed provincial corporation looks to expand investment activity". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- ^ Graveland, Bill (October 7, 2020). "Alberta wants to clear the way for development of 'untapped' geothermal energy". CBC News. Archived from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
- ^ Valleau, Natalie (November 4, 2021). "Alberta's mineral strategy, legislation could pave the way for budding industry". CBC News. Archived from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ Bellefontaine, Michelle (November 3, 2020). "Alberta bill would open door for road and bridge tolls on new projects". CBC News. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Hudes, Sammy (March 16, 2021). "New bill would give Albertans power to propose laws, policies and referendums". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Joannou, Ashley (March 15, 2021). "Alberta government tables legislation that would allow voters to recall elected MLAs". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "New legislation aims to give more flexibility to Alberta non-profit groups". CBC News. March 23, 2021. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Bellefontaine, Michelle (October 27, 2021). "New Alberta bill would allow companies to set up own insurance subsidiaries". CBC News. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Recreational groups given power to maintain, create trails under new bill". CBC News. November 2, 2021. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ Howlett, Trevor (February 26, 2020). "Alberta government to add tourism levy to short-term rentals". CBC News. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
- ^ Bellefontaine, Michelle (June 11, 2020). "New bill cuts energy efficiency agency, ends cabinet approval of oilsands projects". CBC News. Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Alberta's proposed Bill 25 aims to crack down on sellers of stolen metal". CBC News. June 18, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ Anderson, Drew (July 10, 2020). "Alberta prohibition ended a century ago, except in one small area, where it ended just last month". CBC News. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
- ^ Ryan, Sarah (June 26, 2020). "Bill 16 passes third reading, advocates say changes threaten supports for victims of crime". Global News. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ French, Janet (March 31, 2020). "Expanded powers for Alberta orphan well group could allow it to operate pipelines, produce oil". CBC News. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ Bellefontaine, Michelle (June 24, 2020). "New bill removes limits on donations to trustee, municipal candidates in Alberta". CBC News. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Legislative Assembly of Alberta: Elected Members of the Assembly". Archived from the original on 2016-05-14. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
- ^ "Chamber Seating Plan". www.assembly.ab.ca. Archived from the original on 2022-10-11. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
- ^ Edmonton-Calder
- ^ Highwood (First Elected as a Wildrose)
- ^ Fort McMurray-Conklin (First Elected as a Wildrose)