AB Today – Daily Report October 21, 2020
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AB Today – Daily Report October 21, 2020 Quotation of the day “We’re in a danger zone.” Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said while the province is not yet at risk of overloading its health-care system, cases continue to rise at concerning rates. Today in AB Written by Catherine Griwkowsky On the schedule The house will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. Once again, morning sittings are cancelled and evening sittings are on. The house passed a government motion authorizing nightly sittings three days per week and axing morning debate for at least the next three weeks. Two newly introduced bills could be called for second reading: ● Bill 35, Tax Statutes (Creating Jobs and Driving Innovation) Amendment Act; and ● Bill 36, Geothermal Resource Development Act. Two new government bills could also hit the clerk’s table: ● Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish’s Bill 37, Builders’ Lien (Prompt Payment) Amendment Act; and ● Justice Minister Kaycee Madu’s Bill 38, Justice Statutes Amendment Act. Debates and proceedings Finance Minister Travis Toews kicked off the fall legislative session by tabling the first of 20 government bills the UCP hopes to pass before Christmas. Toews’ Bill 35, Tax Statutes (Creating Jobs and Driving Innovation) Amendment Act, would legislate the government’s sped-up corporate tax cut (previously announced in June) and launch a new innovation grant. The government lowered the corporate tax rate from 11 per cent to eight per cent on July 1, a year and a half earlier than planned, citing the need to bolster employers during the pandemic. The proposed “Innovation Employment Grant” will cover up to 20 per cent of firms’ R&D expenditures. Energy Minister Sonya Savage’s Bill 36, Geothermal Resource Development Act, creates a new regulatory framework for the geothermal industry, something the UCP teased earlier this month. The house also debated a government motion commending Albertans for their sacrifices during the pandemic and urging the legislature to adopt “prudent policies that protect the vulnerable while supporting the broader social, economic, mental and physical health of Albertans.” UCP MLAs used the time to outline spending and legislative changes to address the economy, while the Opposition slammed the government’s response so far. Premier Jason Kenney had been slated to open the special debate in the morning, but it was postponed until the afternoon and he did not participate — however, he was in the house for question period. At the legislature Smartphone and iPads A-OK in QP. That’s thanks to Speaker Nathan Cooper waiving the chamber’s ban on electronic devices. Because of the pandemic, pages are no longer waiting in the wings to pass notes to MLAs, so Cooper said it’s only fair they can check their devices. UCP legislates geothermal framework Energy Minister Sonya Savage tabled Bill 36, Geothermal Resource Development Act, part of the UCP’s broader attempt to diversify the economy. If passed, Bill 36 would allow geothermal energy producers to be governed by sector-specific rules (it currently operated under the same framework as oil and gas). The legislation details rules for geothermal licensing, land use, inspections and other nitty gritty that geothermal producers must heed. Protections for landowners and mineral rights owners are also delineated. The Alberta Energy Regulator will have regulatory authority over the industry, and the government will be cleared to collect royalties and other fees from producers. “A regulatory framework is a step in the right direction; however, we’re reviewing the legislation to determine if the one put forward by the UCP is appropriate,” NDP Energy critic Kathleen Ganley said in a news release. Today’s events October 21 at 11 a.m. — Edmonton Speaker Nathan Cooper will host a ceremony by the Alberta—NWT Command of the Royal Canadian Legion as they present the first poppy to Lieutenant-Governor Salma Lakhani. Topics of conversation ● There were 323 new COVID-19 cases reported on Tuesday. The number of active cases hit 3,203 (up 65). There are now 116 people hospitalized (down one), including 16 in ICU (down two). Another person died, bringing the total to 293. ○ Asymptomatic testing in people with no known exposure will stop, including for teachers, health-care workers and other high-risk groups, chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced yesterday. ○ Asymptomatic tests have taken up about one-third of the province’s testing capacity, which will be needed as symptomatic cases increase during the cold and influenza season, per Dr. Hinshaw. ○ Dr. Hinshaw also detailed recent gatherings that contributed to Covid spread, including a wedding, a party and a social gathering of coworkers. ● TC Energy’s NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. expansion project was granted conditional approval from Ottawa on Tuesday. ○ The project had been delayed after the federal cabinet decided to review the project, despite an early promise to stay out of the decision-making. ● Bible verses, modern art, Chinese dynasties and Homer's Odyssey. That’s what’s on a draft curriculum for kindergarten-to-Grade 4 students recommended by the government’s advisory panel, according to the CBC. ○ The UCP’s hand-picked panel also suggested eliminating all references to residential schools. ○ The draft curriculum only represents the panel’s advice, and is not final. ● Coventry Hills School in Calgary temporarily shut down due to “staffing capacity issues,” after a case of COVID-19 was confirmed, Global Calgary reported. ○ The Alberta Teachers’ Association told Global the staffing problem stems from a lack of funding, but a spokesperson for Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said school boards manage staffing levels, not the province. ● A poll commissioned by Fairness Alberta found 87 per cent of Ontarians think Alberta’s economy is “very” or “moderately important” to Canada’s economic recovery. ○ The organization recently launched a billboard in downtown Toronto that said “Ontarians can’t do it alone.” News briefs FOIP documents show no evidence to support corporate tax cut, NDP says ● Internal government emails obtained through a Freedom of Information request don’t offer up the rationale for the UCP’s accelerated corporate tax cut, NDP Finance critic Shannon Phillips said. ○ The NDP requested all documents, briefing notes, and fiscal and economic analyses for the tax cut decision, but only received redacted messaging about December and January job numbers, talking points for press secretaries about spending restraints, and a transcript of the tax cut announcement. ○ “If [the premier] can’t show Albertans the facts used to make this decision he needs to admit this doesn’t exist and no evidence went into this decision,” Phillips said. Question period NDP lead-off ● NDP Leader Rachel Notley kicked off question period by asking why the UCP is pushing ahead with the accelerated corporate tax cut, despite no evidence of job creation. ○ “Why is the premier hitting the gas instead of the brakes?” ● The latest estimate for lost revenue from the corporate tax cut this year is $250 million, Premier Jason Kenney responded, which he chalked up as just one per cent of the province’s $24-billion projected deficit. ○ “We are part, we are facing the consequences of the largest contraction in the world economy since the beginning of the Second World War, since the Great Depression,” Kenney responded. Other NDP questions ● NDP Health critic David Shepherd accused Health Minister Tyler Shandro of spreading “chaos” in the system thanks to his ongoing labour battle with doctors, nurses and ancillary health-care employees. ○ “Why is the current health minister waging a war on public health care in the middle of a public health crisis?” Shepherd asked. ● Shandro replied: “For those playing along at home, yes, the NDP just said the word ‘chaos.’ Everyone can take a drink.” The NDP also asked about war room spending, cuts to tech sector grants that haven’t been replaced in recent announcements, and whether the government will adopt UCP policy resolutions passed at the party’s AGM. UCP backbencher questions UCP backbenchers asked about influenza vaccinations, mental health support during the pandemic, the economic recovery plan, and support for the oil and gas industry. Appointments and Employments Committee switch-up MLAs unanimously passed a motion to change committee membership after this summer’s shuffle of cabinet and critic portfolios. The following changes have been made to standing committee membership: Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund ○ UCP MLA Searle Turton will replace Municipal Affairs Minister Tracy Allard, who is off committee duty due to her promotion to cabinet this summer. ○ NDP MLA Christina Gray will replace NDP MLA Rod Loyola, and NDP Finance critic Shannon Phillips will replace NDP MLA Chris Nielsen. Standing Committee on Legislative Offices ○ NDP MLA Joe Ceci will replace NDP MLA Marlin Schmidt, and Loyola will replace Gray. Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Public Bills ○ NDP MLA Kathleen Ganley will replace NDP MLA Rakhi Pancholi. Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing ○ UCP MLA Roger Reid will replace UCP MLA Joseph Schow as deputy chair. Pancholi will replace Ganley. NDP MLA Jon Carson, Schow and Turton will be removed from the committee altogether. Standing Committee on Public Accounts ○ Schmidt will replace NDP MLA Sarah Hoffman. Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services ○ NDP MLA Irfan Sabir will replace Ganley. Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future ○ UCP MLA Miranda Rosin will replace Allard. Standing Committee on Families and Communities ○ Sabir will replace Ganley. Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship ● Ganley will replace Sabir, and UCP MLA Tanya Fir will replace Rosin. AB Today is written by Catherine Griwkowsky, reporting from the Alberta Legislative Press Gallery. What did you think of this Daily Report? What else would you like to see here? Email [email protected] and let us know.