This Week
LNG partnership discussion: Speaking at the LNG Conference in Vancouver this week, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said during her remarks the province had begun discussions with the Government of British Columbia about expanding markets for Canadian gas. The Alberta Premier said that she and BC Premier David Eby spoke two weeks ago about possible ways to use Article 6 of the United Nations Paris Accord to gain carbon credits for emissions reductions abroad.
Council of the Federation: Canada’s Premiers held their annual summer meeting, with this year’s taking place in Winnipeg. The discussion focused on economic growth with the Premiers endorsing the Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan proposed by a stakeholder coalition. Next summer’s meeting will be held in Nova Scotia from July 15 to 17, 2024.
Parliamentary secretaries: Premier Smith announced eight parliamentary secretaries to assist ministers. These appointments are:
- Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk (Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville), Parliamentary Secretary for Settlement Services and Ukrainian Evacuees
- Andrew Boitchenko (Drayton Valley-Devon), Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous Relations
- Chantelle de Jonge (Chestermere-Strathmore), Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities
- Shane Getson (Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland), Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Corridor Development
- Grant Hunter (Taber-Warner), Parliamentary Secretary for Agrifood Development
- Martin Long (West Yellowhead), Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health
- Scott Sinclair (Lesser Slave Lake), Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous Policing
- Tany Yao (Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo), Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Northern Development
Ministers Mickey Amery and Dan Williams were also named as Deputy House Leaders.
6 new mandate letters: Last week, mandate letters for two ministries were announced. This week, the Premier announced a further six letters outlining the priorities of the government. These include mandate letters for the following ministers:
- Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
- Minister of Energy and Minerals
- Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors
- Minister of Technology and Innovation
- President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance
- Minister of Tourism and Sport
$60 million to reduce emissions: As part of Alberta’s Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan, the government announced $60 million to support 14 new projects using the TIER fund. The TIER fund helps industrial facilities find new ways to reduce emissions and invest in clean technology. This investment is expected to create 2,000 new jobs.
Connecting 10,000 homes to high-speed internet: In partnership with the federal government, $96 million is being invested to deliver high-speed internet to rural Alberta. The investment is part of Alberta’s Broadband Strategy which aims to connect every Albertan with high-speed internet by 2027.
What’s Next
Legislative calendar: MLAs will return to the Legislature on October 30 for the Speech from the Throne.
UCP AGM: The United Conservative Party will be holding their next AGM on November 3-4 in Calgary.
Announcements
- West coast work stoppages: Statement from Premier
- Improving Calgary Transit
- Minister of Environment and Protected Areas mandate letter
- Minister of Energy and Minerals mandate letter
- Beefing up access to capital for livestock producers
- Orders in Council
- Securing 10,000 Alberta homes to high-speed internet
- Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors mandate letter
- New funding for emissions-reducing technologies
- Minister of Technology and Innovation mandate letter
- President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance mandate letter
- Premier names parliamentary secretaries
- Deal reached on B.C. port strike: Premier Smith
- Minister of Tourism and Sport mandate letter
Key Resources