Update From The Legislature - Feb. 24, 2022
Third session of the 30th Legislature begins
The third session of the 30th Legislature commenced on February 22, 2022, with a Speech From the Throne delivered by Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani. While the speech focused on jobs and healthcare, it also touched on a range of commitments that may be of interest to municipalities, including:
• The completion of stakeholder consultations about the possible creation of an Alberta Provincial Police Service
• A commitment to expand access to reliable high-speed internet service in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities
• Increasing health care system capacity and reducing surgical wait times
• A natural gas rebate program
The speech also committed the provincial government to several legislative changes this spring, including:
• Amendments to the Police Act to improve accountability, strengthen local policing and legislation to implement a regional approach to supporting victims of crime, including broadening the services and supports offered to victims
• A renewed commitment to reducing red tape by one-third during this term
• Erecting a memorial to the victims of residential schools on the Legislature grounds
Lieutenant Governor Lakhani also announced Bill 1, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Recognition Act, which will see 7,000 Albertans honoured for their service to their communities.
Budget 2022
Budget 2022 will be released Thursday afternoon. Alberta Municipalities will host a webinar for elected official and employees of municipal governments on Friday afternoon to share our perspectives and answer members’ questions. Registration for the webinar is now open.
Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche by-election called
A provincial by-election will occur on March 15 in the constituency of Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche. The vacancy arose due to the resignation of MLA Laila Goodridge, who successfully contested the constituency of Fort McMurray-Cold Lake in the recent federal election.
Current standings in the Legislature
The current standings in the Legislature are:
• 60 United Conservatives
• 23 New Democrats
• 3 Independents
• 1 Vacant
