Legislative Reports Highlands–Norwood) that he to concur in the Committee’s would step down as leader of the report was passed in the House party as of October 19, 2014. Mr. unanimously and without Mason has indicated that he will debate. The appointment became continue to serve as a Member effective on May 26, 2014, and of the Legislative Assembly. The Ms. Trussler was officially sworn nomination period closed on in as Alberta’s fourth Ethics August 5, 2014. David Eggen Commissioner on June 4, 2014. (Edmonton–Calder), Rachel Ms. Trussler was born and Notley (Edmonton–Strathcona) raised in Alberta and served on and Rod Loyola, President of the the Alberta Court of Queen’s Non-Academic Staff Association Bench for 20 years. She holds a Alberta at the University of Alberta, have Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor entered the race. of Laws from the University of Leadership Contests Changes to Caucus Membership Alberta, a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne Alison Redford’s (Calgary– Almost one year after and was awarded an honorary Elbow) resignation as Premier resigning from the PC Caucus Doctorate of Laws from the in March 2014 set the stage for in July 2013, Mike Allen (Fort University of Alberta. In 2007 a leadership race within the McMurray–Wood Buffalo) she became the Chair of the Progressive Conservative (PC) was accepted back into the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Association of Alberta. When caucus on July 7, 2014. With Commission and has a history of the nomination period closed on this membership change the actively supporting a variety of May 30, 2014, three individuals composition of the Assembly cultural organizations and other had put their names forward is now at 59 Progressive community groups. for consideration as the next Conservatives, 17 Wildrose, leader of the PC party: Thomas 5 Alberta Liberals, 4 New Committee Activity Lukaszuk (Edmonton–Castle Democrats, and 2 Independents. On March 10, 2014, the Downs), former Minister of Jobs, Standing Committee on Skills, Training and Labour, Ric Appointment of a New Ethics Commissioner Resource Stewardship tabled McIver (Calgary–Hays), former the final report on its study of Minister of Infrastructure, and On November 15, 2013, public policy tools available Jim Prentice (former Member Alberta’s third Ethics to encourage broader and of Parliament for Calgary North Commissioner, Neil R. higher-value use of natural gas. Centre). The first leadership vote Wilkinson, announced that he Shortly thereafter, the Assembly will take place on September 6, would not seek reappointment referred Bill 201, Agricultural 2014. If no candidate secures a when his term expired. On Pests (Fusarium Head Blight) majority a second vote between May 7, 2014, the Select Special Amendment Act, 2014, to the the top two contenders will be Ethics Commissioner Search Committee. Bill 201, a Private held on September 20, 2014. Committee completed its Members’ Public Bill, sponsored The Alberta New Democratic mandate and unanimously by Maureen Kubinec (Barrhead– Party has also started the recommended Marguerite Morinville–Westlock), seeks process for a leadership contest Trussler be appointed the next to increase the tolerance level following the announcement Ethics Commissioner for the for Fusarium graminearum in by Brian Mason (Edmonton– Province of Alberta. The motion Alberta seed and livestock feed 48 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/AUTUMN 2014 to 0.5 per cent. The Committee Committee also accepted written provide written submissions on received a presentation from submissions regarding Bills 9 and the matter by August 22, 2014. the Bill sponsor, a briefing from 10 until August 15, 2014. Alberta Agriculture and Rural On April 14, 2014, Bill 11, Child, Jody Rempel Development, and spent two Youth and Family Enhancement Committee Clerk days meeting with stakeholder Amendment Act, 2014, sponsored panels representing various by Manmeet Bhullar (Calgary– agricultural interests including Greenway), Minister of Human experts on the issue from around Services, passed first reading. western Canada. One of the more notable parts The Standing Committee of the Bill related to removal on Alberta’s Economic Future of the existing publication ban completed its review on the surrounding children who die feasibility of high-speed rail and while in provincial care. Under tabled its report on May 23, 2014. Bill 11 a process would be The Committee recommended developed to allow for such a that the Government not invest ban to be requested in a court in the development of high-speed application made by specified rail along the Edmonton-Calgary persons, including individuals British Columbia corridor but instead focus prescribed in the regulations resources on the development as family members. On May 7, The spring sitting of the of light rail and regional 2014, the Assembly agreed to an Legislative Assembly concluded transportation systems. However, amendment to the Bill, proposed with the adjournment of the the report also suggests that by Rachel Notley (Edmonton– House on May 29, 2014. The infrastructure planning consider Strathcona), which stipulated that final weeks of the sitting were accommodations for high-speed no regulations could be made notable for the inauguration on rail development in the future. in this regard to this section of May 4, 2014 of John Horgan as Leader of the New Democratic The Standing Committee on the legislation without “being considered by an all party Party and Leader of the Official Alberta’s Economic Future is Opposition. In addition, on May now considering Bill 9, Public committee of the Legislative Assembly.” 15, 2014, the Legislative Assembly Sector Pension Plans Amendment unanimously adopted a historic Act, 2014, and Bill 10, Employment On July 16, 2014, two months bipartisan motion, apologizing Pension (Private Sector) Plans after the Bill came into force for over 100 laws, regulations, Amendment Act, 2014. These Bills (with exceptions including the and policies imposed by past were referred to the Committee portion relating to the publication provincial governments between for review after they received ban), the Standing Committee 1871 and 1947 against people of Second Reading. Both Bills on Families and Communities Chinese descent. have been the subject of strong met to consider a request from criticism in and outside of the the Minister of Human Services On May 26, 2014, the House. The Committee, which to review a draft version of the Legislative Assembly adopted began its review with three Publication Ban (Court Applications a motion authorizing meetings days of briefings from various and Orders) Regulation, which of the Committee of Supply stakeholders and pension would provide the process for in three concurrent sections to experts, also invited the public interested parties to request a consider the Estimates. This to participate in the review publication ban following the continued a practice initially process and held public meetings death of a child in provincial care. used in 2012 and again in 2013, in seven locations around the The Committee initiated a review and facilitated the consideration province. Over 900 people of the matter and invited the of ministry estimates during the participated in these public Minister and department officials spring sitting. The Committee of meetings, with particularly high to provide a technical briefing Supply has typically sat in two attendance in Edmonton and at the next Committee meeting. concurrent sections, and did so Calgary. In total, the Committee The Committee also identified for the majority of the spring heard over 150 presentations. The stakeholders and invited them to sitting. CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/AUTUMN 2014 49 On May 27, 2014, the Bill 24, Agricultural Land Four Committees initiated House adopted, on division, a Commission Amendment Act, public consultations in support of government motion pursuant to 2014 – which implements their terms of reference: Standing Order 81.1(2), providing changes to the framework for the The Select Standing Committee for time allocation of the protection of agricultural land on Children and Youth launched remaining stages of debate of Bill in the province, following up a call for written submissions 24, Agricultural Land Commission on government’s “core review” to assist with its special project Amendment Act, 2014, by 5:30 pm of agricultural land provisions examining youth mental health on May 29, 2014. aimed at improving efficiency in BC. and reducing program costs. Legislation The Select Standing Committee A total of 14 private members’ By the end of the spring on Health began public bills were introduced, including consultations as part of its work sitting, the government had bills proposing to: allow introduced 26 bills (excluding to identify potential strategies to electronic petitions; move BC’s maintain a sustainable health care Bill 1) since the opening of fixed election date; amend th system. the second session of the 40 conflict of interest rules; enhance Parliament on February 11, 2014. the Legislative Assembly’s The Special Committee to Of these bills, 25 received Royal parliamentary committee system; Review the Personal Information Assent. The one bill which was and provide for a fall sitting of Protection Act opened public not adopted was Bill 25, the the Legislative Assembly every consultations to assist its Port Metro Vancouver Container year. comprehensive statutory review Trucking Services Continuation of the Personal Information Act, which was no longer