This Week
- Fall sitting adjourned: On Thursday, the fall sitting was adjourned following a three-week fall session.
- New Government legislation: The Government introduced 1 new piece of legislation this week:
- Bill 7: Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 (No.2)
- Other legislation: Two Private Members’ bills were also introduced this week:
- Increasing support for physicians: The Business Costs Program will see an increase of $20 million annually amounting to a 25% increase. The program was created in 2007 to ease the business costs in office-based practices and diagnostic facilities. This increase in funding will help physicians deal with inflation and keep practices open.
- Provincial protocol for federal firearms ban: Alberta announced it would take back constitutional jurisdiction for handling charges under the Firearms Act. The move allows Alberta’s Crown prosecutors to determine whether to pursue charges following the federal government’s ban on more than 1,500 types of firearms in 2020. Protocol from the attorney general states that it would not be in the public interest to proceed with prosecution.
- Supporting rural Alberta: After a year of consultation, Alberta’s government released a plan to drive economic growth and address challenges in rural communities. The plan focuses on building infrastructure, supporting rural businesses, supporting labour force and skills development, marketing and promoting rural tourism, and enhancing rural economic development. Cabinet task forces to tackle social issues in Edmonton and Calgary: The government announced an Edmonton task force and a Calgary task force to implement life-saving services to those struggling with addiction and homelessness. This action is part of Alberta’s recovery-oriented system to which the province has committed over $187 million.
What’s Next
- Legislature: The new Legislature schedule will be released in mid-January.
Announcements
- Investing in the future of Fish Creek Provincial Park
- Cabinet task force to tackle Edmonton social issues
- Building up the rural Alberta economy
- Alberta first to provide gene therapy for eye condition
- Supporting skill development with micro-credentials
- Orders in Council
- Alberta takes back constitutional jurisdiction
- Attorney general issues protocol to Crown prosecutors
- Building healthier, safer workplaces for Albertans
- Growing apprenticeship spaces in northern Alberta
- Helping physicians with business costs
- Major upgrades to Alberta’s highways in 2022
- Progress on new Cochrane interchange
- Cabinet task force to tackle Calgary social issues
- Championing Alberta’s northern communities
Key Resources