This Week
New legislation: The Government of Alberta introduced 3 new pieces of legislation this week.
- Bill 8 – the Alberta Firearms Act
- Bill 9 – the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act
- Bill 10 – the Financial Statutes Amendment Act
Budget 2023 announcements: Alberta’s Government provided more detail on several commitments made in Budget 2023. Over the next three years, $820 million will support increased student enrolment. Another $330 million will provide increased wages and operating funding for the social sector supporting individuals living with disabilities, facing homelessness, or dealing with family violence. $15 million will go towards increasing the availability of spaces in high-demand apprenticeship programs. And $11 million is being invested to grow Alberta’s aviation industry primarily through increasing training opportunities.
Reducing red tape: Bill 9 aims to reduce red tape in several areas primarily through digital solutions. Of note, the bill begins the process of digitizing the Land Titles Office. The bill also modernizes rules for irrigation districts and provides more certainty around funding for LRT projects.
Investing in affordable housing: As part of the government’s commitment to build 25,000 additional households in Alberta over the next 10 years, $54 million will support 17 affordable housing projects across the province. Projects include the development of affordable seniors lodging and converting existing office or hotel space into housing for vulnerable Albertans.
What’s Next
Legislature: The Alberta Legislature has resumed for spring session. The next few weeks are focused on main estimates. The schedule can be found in the Legislature’s Order Paper.
Announcements
- Promoting Alberta’s responsible energy sector
- Supporting wage growth in Alberta’s social sector
- Expanding mental health treatment for youth
- Helping Türkiye, Syria after devastating earthquakes
- Readout: Premier Smith meets with Mayor Amarjeet Sohi
- More apprenticeship spaces for Alberta students
- Alberta Firearms Act introduced
- Unpaid oil and gas taxes: Statement from Minister Schulz
- Removing employment barriers for immigrant women
- Supporting women in the skilled trades
- Helping Alberta become Canada’s next aviation hub
- Tackling gang violence and illegal gun crime
- New bill continues red-tape-cutting momentum
- Justice legislative agenda
- Investing in affordable housing
- Supporting first responder psychological health
- Supporting more students in classrooms
- Building fiscal stability
- New Calgary mental health centre for youth
- February Labour Force Survey: Minister Jean
Key Resources