With the RMA Convention having taken place March 17-19, we are tackling two full weeks of Legislative Assembly action. It was Canadian Agricultural Safety Week in the Legislature, and, as such, there were several Bills debated regarding the health and safety of agricultural producers.
As well, there was a special evening sitting of the Legislature on March 24. Legislature took the evening to discuss several budget amendments as well as the long-anticipated Bill 47 – the Automobile Insurance Act.
Visitors to the Legislature this week included representatives of Crowsnest Pass, the ambassador of Italy to Canada, Alessandro Cattaneo, members of Team Alberta Crops, and several classes of Grade 6 students from across Alberta. All visitors and guests received the Legislature’s warm welcome.
Members’ Issues and Related Bills or Activities
Bill 47 – Automobile Insurance Act, 2025
Honourable Nate Horner, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Finance
Bill 47 introduces the Automobile Insurance Act, which reforms and restructures Alberta’s automobile accident insurance scheme into a privately delivered no-fault system. Described as a “care-first” insurance system, the Act, in its current state, would ensure that those in an automobile accident would be compensated for injuries sustained without the need for litigation, regardless of fault.
Alberta currently has a tort-based system where claims for severe injuries are litigated in court. The Act would bar a sizeable share of bodily injury claims currently entering the court system, potentially reducing loads, and freeing judicial resources for other matters. The Act would continue to allow insurers to provide compensation greater than prescribed amounts, and permit suits to be brought against at-fault drivers whose actions resulted in a conviction under the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, or Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act.
If passed, the new legislation would come into force January 2027; however, a full transition to the no-fault system would take significantly longer. Bill 47 passed the first reading on Monday, March 24.
Bill 44 – Agricultural Operations Practices Amendment Act, 2025
Honourable RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation
Bill 44 was introduced in the Legislative Assembly on March 18. Bill 44 proposes amendment which purport to reduce waste, create additional nutrient options for crop production, and provide legislative backing to the emerging biogas industry.
The Bill would expand the waste materials available for use in the creation of biogas, a renewable fuel produced when organic matter – food and animal waste – is broken down by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen creating a mixture of gasses which can then be used as a source of energy.
Bill 44 also aligns the Municipal Government Act with the Agricultural Operation Practices Amendment Act by introducing Intermunicipal Development Plans – alongside Municipal Development Plans – as a consideration that must be made by the relevant approval officer when evaluating an application.
Bill 44 passed its first reading on Tuesday, March 18.
Other Notable Legislative Action
Bill 40 – Professional Governance Act, 2025
Honourable Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education
Debate continued on Bill 40. The Bill would consolidate and streamline several professional governance Acts, modernizing professional legislation to emphasize good governance and consistency. If passed, it purports to allow the consolidated regulatory agencies to have more self-governing authority and control over their bylaws. The Bill effects governance for engineers, land surveyors, forest management, veterinarians, among others.
Bill 46 – Information and Privacy Statutes Amendment Act, 2025
Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation
Bill 46 would expand the capabilities of the Office of Statistics and Information to collect personal information for the purposes of the compilation, study, investigation, and analysis of data related to commercial, industrial, financial, social economic, and other activities in Alberta.
Bill 48 – iGaming Alberta Act, 2025
Honourable Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Bill 48 would take the first steps towards implementing a regulated market for private companies to legally operate online gaming sites in Alberta. By regulating the private market, Albertans who choose to gamble on those sites will be provided with consumer protection safeguards as well as social responsibility.
Bill 206 – Child and Youth Advocate (Parent Guardian Liaison) Amendment Act, 2024
Honourable Scott Cyr, Member for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul
Bill 206 would create a centralized advocacy resource within Alberta’s office of the Child and Youth Advocate, which parents could use to navigate resources and government programs. This parent and guardian liaison would ensure that parents and guardians have the knowledgeable support of an independent adviser to help them understand their rights and connect them with important resources. The Bill passed its third reading on May 24, 2025.
Standing and Select Special Committee Meetings
April 14:
Standing Committee on Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
Ian Profiri
Policy & Research Analyst
825.319.2352
ian@rmalberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@rmalberta.com