The first session of the 31st Legislature resumed on October 28, 2024, and the RMA’s weekly Legislative Updates will once again provide a brief overview of the legislative action and bill activity most relevant to our members. The RMA expects a busy session with multiple government bills and amendments being introduced. Stay tuned for further updates and information.
Rachel Notley stepped down as Leader of the Official Opposition in June 2024, and requested that Christina Gray, MLA for Edmonton-Mill Woods, be recognized as the new Official Opposition House Leader.
Notable visitors to the Legislature this week included Naheed Nenshi, the Leader of the Alberta NDP, as well as representatives from the Alberta Law Foundation, Alberta Health Sciences Association, Linde Canada, Tourmaline Oil, and several groups of Grade 6 students. All guests received the Legislature’s warm welcome.
Members’ Issues and Related Bills or Activities
Bill 24 – Alberta Bill of Rights Amendment Act, 2024
Honourable Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta
If passed, Bill 24 would amend 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 vaccination mandates in the public sector, 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 policy violates Albertans’ rights.
Since being read for the first time on Monday, October 28, Bill 24 has been pushing through the Legislature, having already passed second reading. Amendments to the bill were introduced at the Committee of the Whole and are on the order paper for debate on October 31.
Bill 28 – Meat Inspection Amendment Act, 2024
Honourable R.J. Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation
Bill 28 proposes much stricter penalties for illegal meat sales, which pose serious risks to both human and animal health and could potentially jeopardize the province’s livestock and meat processing industry. If passed, Bill 28 would increase the amount of time for investigating and laying charges from one to two years, as well as increase the penalty for contravening Alberta’s Meat Inspection Act and its regulations tenfold from $10,000 to $100,000.
Bill 28 was read for the first time on Wednesday, October 30, and its second reading is on the order paper for Thursday, October 31.
Bill 25 – Early Learning and Child Care Amendment Act, 2024
Honourable Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Trade
If passed, Bill 25 purports to help the government ensure child safety by strengthening its ability to hold non-compliant providers accountable. Amendments would allow the province’s child-care licensing team to impose penalties on license holders and educators who jeopardize child safety and who do not meet quality standards, permit temporary closure of only part of a child-care program rather than closing the entire program, ensure parents have easier access to vital information about their children’s care, and address the Food Safety and Licensed Facility-Based Child Care Review Panel recommendations to clearly state that all facility-based licence holders must comply with applicable zoning, health, and safety legislation. These changes would align Alberta’s legislation with other Canadian jurisdictions.
Bill 25 was read for the first time on Wednesday, October 30, and its second reading is on the order paper for Thursday, October 31.
Other Notable Legislative Action
Bill 214 – Eastern Slopes Protection Act
Honourable Rachel Notley, Leader of the Official Opposition
Bill 214, previously introduced in April 2021, purports to protect sensitive lands and watersheds that support Alberta’s communities, businesses, biodiversity, and drinking water. Due to issues with water and drought throughout 2024, particularly in southern Alberta, the opposition believed the bill was worthy of reconsideration in the Assembly.
Bill 214 was read for the first time on May 29, before the summer break, and its second reading remains on the order paper as of October 31, 2024.
On the Order Paper: Upcoming Bill Introductions
Bill 23 – Miscellaneous Corrections Statute Amendment Act, 2024
Honourable Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport
Bill 26 – Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (No 2)
Honourable Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health
Bill 27 – Education Amendment Act, 2024 (No 2)
Honourable Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education
Bill 29 – Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, 2024
Honourable Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport
Bill 30 – Service Alberta Statutes Amendment Act, 2024
Honourable Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Bill 31 – Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2024
Honourable Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta
Bill 32 – Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (No 2)
Honourable Nate Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance
Bill 209 – Reconciliation Implementation Act
Brooks Arcand-Paul, MLA for Edmonton-West Henday and Opposition Critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Standing and Select Special Committee Meetings
October 29:
Standing Committee on Public Accounts – Ministry of Children and Family Services
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts regularly reviews the reports of the Auditor General of Alberta and the public accounts of the province. This week, the Committee reviewed the Ministry of Children and Family Services’ 2023-2024 annual report.
October 30:
Select Special Ethics Commissioner and Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee
On October 30, the Committee recommended to the Assembly that Gordon McClure be appointed to the position of Chief Electoral officer, and the committee has now completed its mandate.
Joseph Kay
Policy & Research Analyst
587.689.5484
joseph@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com