This past week saw five bills pass the Committee of the Whole, several with amendments, and one bill pass third reading. Notable visitors to the Legislature this week included the Consul General of Japan, as well as members of the Search and Rescue Advisory Committee, AUPE’s Political Action Committee, Alberta Craft Distiller’s Association, and the boards of Results Driven Agriculture Research and Medicine Hat College, in addition to students from schools across the province.
Members’ Issues and Related Bills or Activities
Bill 24 – Alberta Bill of Rights Amendment Act, 2024
Honourable Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice, Solicitor General of Alberta
Bill 24 amends the Alberta Bill of Rights by expanding freedom of expression to cover non-verbal and non-written forms of expression, protect Albertans against unwanted medical care and restrict public sector vaccination mandates, affirm firearms ownership as a right, make it more challenging for the government to appropriate property, and grant the courts the power to order injunctions or award damages where provincial policies violates Albertans’ rights.
The amended Bill 24 passed third reading on division on November 27 and is expected to receive Royal Assent.
Bill 30 – Service Alberta Statutes Amendment Act, 2024
Honourable Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
If passed, Bill 30 would amend the Condominium Property Act, the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act (PPCLA), and the Public Works Act (PWA). The Bill’s amendments to the PWA would extend the PPCLA’s rules and processes to Government of Alberta construction projects, including proper invoicing provisions and 31-day billing cycles unless testing or commissioning is required. The amendments would also clarify that as of Spring 2025, all new contracts would align with the legislative requirements, and all existing contracts would continue as written until project completion.
RMA will review Bill 30 to gauge how it will impact members’ construction and infrastructure projects. Bill 30 passed the Committee of the Whole stage with amendments on November 27.
Bill 33 – Protection of Privacy Act
Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation
Bill 34 – Access to Information Act
Honourable Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
If passed, Bill 33’s Protection of Privacy Act would mandate public bodies (including rural municipalities) to create their programs and services with protection of privacy in mind. The proposed Protection of Privacy Act would provide the strictest penalties in Canada for misusing Albertans’ personal information, permit the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) not to proceed with an investigation in certain circumstances, implement requirements for privacy management programs, impact assessments, and breach reporting, and mandate the notification of Albertans if their personal information is involved in a privacy breach.
If passed, Bill 34’s Access to Information Act would recognize electronic records, allow public bodies (including rural municipalities) to extend timelines during times of emergencies, and clarify definitions and processes. The Act also purports to further empower public bodies to proactively disclose information outside the access to information process.
Both Bills’ second readings were adjourned earlier this week but are on the Order Paper for November 28. RMA continues to review both Bills and gauge their impact on our member municipalities.
Other Notable Legislative Action
Bill 32 – Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (No. 2)
Honourable Nate Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance
If passed, Bill 32 would amend 10 pieces of legislation and implement a new legislative framework for indexation of the tax system and social programs. Aside from these changes and others made to home financing rules and legislation, including the introduction of Halal mortgages, the changes most relevant to RMA’s members include the implementation of an electric vehicle tax of $200 annually and other provisions for the administration of the tax, including rules for refunds and exemptions for governments, diplomats and First Nations bands and individuals.
Bill 32’s passed its second reading on November 27.
Bill 35 – All-Season Resorts Act
Honourable Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport, Government House Leader
Bill 35’s All-Season Resorts Act claims to incentivize the responsible, sustainable development of all-season, year-round resorts in Alberta. The Act would establish a new All-Season Resorts Branch in the Ministry of Tourism and Sport for all-season resort developments on Alberta’s provincial Crown lands, and purports to establish a development approval process for proponents to follow, enable the development of year-round tourism products in Alberta, and support a growing visitor economy by attracting private capital into the development of tourism products. RMA is still reviewing the Bill to gauge its impact on land use planning and economic development in member municipalities.
Bill 35’s second reading was adjourned on November 27 but is back on the Order Paper for November 28.
On the Order Paper: Upcoming Bill Introductions
Bill 23 – Miscellaneous Corrections Statute Amendment Act, 2024
Honourable Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport, Government House Leader
Bill 215 – Prohibiting Ownership of Agricultural Lands (Pension Plans and Trust Corporations) Act
Glenn van Dijken, MLA for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock
Standing and Select Special Committee Meetings
November 26:
Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services – Ministry of Technology and Innovation
This Committee sets Members’ allowances, constituency office allowances and Members’ benefits. This committee also approves the annual estimates of the Legislative Assembly Office (LAO) and may modify regulations, orders, or directives under the Financial Administration Act and the Public Service Act governing the LAO’s financial and human resources administration.
This week, the Committee voted to upgrade the Legislature Chamber at a cost of $2.45M, provide $1.5M to support the Electoral Boundaries Commission (as discussed in Bill 31 last week), provide $1.325M in special funding to the Legislative Assembly Office related to a new enterprise resource planning project, and increase MLA’s accommodation allowance for the first time since 2012 from $193 per day to $350 per day.
Standing Committee on Public Accounts – Ministry of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts reviews the reports of the Auditor General of Alberta and the public accounts of the province. On November 26th, the Committee reviewed the Ministry’s 2023-2024 Annual Report. The Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for December 3rd with the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
Joseph Kay
Policy & Research Analyst
587.689.5484
joseph@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com