Legislative Reports On opening day Premier Committee of the Whole Ed Stelmach introduced Bill 1, consideration of the Bill. Some Alberta Competitiveness Act. concerns included issues sur- rounding electronic voting Bill 1 allows the Lieutenant as well as the lack of provi- Governor in Council to strike a sions for fixed election dates. committee to discuss and develop The Bill does not contain methods to increase Alberta’s provisions regarding leader- competitiveness. The committee ship campaign financing as Alberta recommended by the former would collaborate with Chief Electoral Officer in his government, industry, business, report. However, shortly after he Spring sitting of the 3rd and Albertans to provide advice the Bill was introduced in the TSession of the 27th Legislature to the Government on how to Assembly, the Minister of commenced on February 4, 2010, foster opportunities and increase Justice and Attorney General and sponsor of the Bill, with the Speech from the Throne the province’s access to the global requested that the Standing delivered by outgoing Lieutenant economy. The Bill received Royal Committee on Public Safety Governor Norman L. Kwong. Assent on March 25, 2010. and Services review and make The Speech outlined the recommendations regarding Government’s plans to increase Government Bills financial disclosure rules for leadership contestants for Alberta’s competitiveness in the Bills passed by the Assembly political parties. In accordance global economy and improve include: with the Standing Orders, the health care. Highlights included: • Bill 7, Election Statutes committee’s report must be • a commitment by the Amendment Act, 2010, amends presented to the Assembly Government to act on the rec- legislation by updating the within six months of the com- ommendations of the Minister manner in which provincial mencement of the inquiry. of Health and Wellness’s elections are held. The amend- • Bill 9, Local Authorities Election Advisory Committee and to ments were developed in Statutes Amendment Act, 2010, provide stable five-year fund- consultation with the office of amends the Act by introduces ing to Alberta Health Services; the Chief Electoral Officer and several changes to the process- • the continued use of Alberta’s based on recommendations es involved with municipal Sustainability Fund to provide made by the former Chief elections. One change provides funding for municipalities, Electoral Officer in a report that when a voter has more social programs, educational following the March 3, 2008, than one residence, he or she institutions, and the health provincial general election. must designate only one place care system; Under the amendments, of residence for the purpose returning officers will now • investment in research and of voting. Other provisions be appointed by the Chief technology solutions in include: no requirement for a Electoral Officer rather than response to environmental bank account and public dis- the Government; enumera- issues posed by oils sands closure by candidates on self- tors will be hired by returning development as well as the funded campaigns up to and officers under the direction eventual elimination of tail- including $10,000; a maximum of the Chief Electoral Officer; ings ponds; contribution limit of $5,000 per advance polls will be open to year; a requirement for a bank • 100 new officers for Alberta those who want to vote early; account for contributions from police forces; prisoners will have the right to any person other than the can- • the development of a new vote; and the Chief Electoral didate only if the total amount vision for education; Officer will be provided exceeds $5,000. with mechanisms to explore • equitable treatment for • Bill 12, Body Armour Control the use of voting technolo- Act. Under the legislation, Albertans under universal gies. The opposition moved federal programs. individuals who want to several amendments during purchase body armour must 46 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/SUMMER 2010 have a permit to do so with material is or may be child Operating expenses are the exception of police officers, pornography, it must be forecasted to increase by peace officers, emergency reported to either law enforce- 5.6 percent or $1.7 billion to medical service providers, ment or a reporting entity. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Bill contains provisions to pro- $33.2 billion. Of this amount Commission inspectors, tect the informant and estab- a payment of $759 million will licensed private security lishes the actions a reporting be made to Alberta Health guards, and others who need entity must take once an inci- Services to pay off the remainder to wear body armour to do dent is reported. It is the first of their deficit. Alberta Health their jobs. Individuals with time that a Private Members’ valid firearms permits are Public Bill sponsored by an Services will receive an increase also exempt. Members of the opposition Member has re- in base funding of $1.3 billion Wildrose Alliance spoke in ceived Royal Assent. which includes an $812 million opposition to the Bill claiming • Bill 203, Municipal Government adjustment to base funding. that the provisions in the Bill (Local Access and Franchise School boards will receive an take away the right of indi- Fees) Amendment Act, 2010, viduals to protect themselves. increase of $250 million. Benefit sponsored by Kyle Fawcett levels for recipients of the They also argued that body (PC, Calgary-North Hill), armour is not a weapon and amends the Act by creating a Alberta Seniors Benefit and the should therefore not be subject standard formula to be used Assured Income for the Severely to permit requirements. when calculating local access Handicapped will remain the • Bill 16, Traffic Safety (Distracted and franchise fees. During same as will funding for the Driving) Amendment Act, 2010, Second Reading consideration, Persons with Developmental amends the Traffic Safety an amendment was passed to Amendment Act to ban the refer the Bill to the Standing Disabilities program. use of hand-held cellphones, Committee on Community This year marked the second electronic devices such as GPS, Services. The Committee must time that the main estimates as well as tasks which distract report to the Assembly by drivers such as personal October 28, 2010. were referred to the Assembly’s grooming. Hands-free devices five Policy Field Committees or devices that require Budget 2010 according to their respective only one touch will still be On February 9, 2010, Ted Morton, mandates. The Policy Field permitted. Exceptions include Committees met in the evenings the use of cellphones in Minister of Finance and emergency situations and by Enterprise, presented Budget to consider the main estimates emergency personnel and for 2010 and the estimates for of 23 departments during commercial purposes. The Bill the 2010-11 fiscal year. The the 2010 Spring sitting from is currently at Second Reading budget estimates a deficit of 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The and will be considered at the estimates of Executive Council next sitting. $4.7 billion for 2010-11 and a deficit of $1.1 billion for 2011- were considered by Committee Private Members’ Public Bills 12. The Sustainability Fund will of Supply. The vote on the main • Bill 201, Workers’ Compensation be used to offset deficits. It is estimates and the Legislative (Firefighters) Amendment anticipated that the province Assembly Office estimates took Act, 2010, introduced by will return to a balanced budget place on March 18, 2010. George Rogers (PC, Leduc- Beaumont-Devon), proposed with a surplus of $505 million Caucus Changes amendments to the Workers’ by 2012-13. Revenue for the Compensation Act to include 2010-11 fiscal year is estimated Dave Taylor (Calgary-Currie) primary site esophageal cancer to increase by $423 million, or resigned from the Official and primary site testicular 1.3%, to $34 billion. Resource Opposition Liberal Caucus cancer in the list of cancers revenue is anticipated to increase on April 12, 2010 to sit as an that firefighters may claim independent Member. Mr. under workers’ compensation by $1.3 billion, or 21.7%, to benefits. The Bill passed Third $7.3 billion. Alberta’s economy is Taylor was elected to his Reading on April 12, 2010. expected to grow by 2.6% in 2010. second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta • Bill 202, Mandatory Reporting of A cross-ministry review Child Pornography Act intro- for the constituency of Calgary- duced by Heather Forsyth identified $1.3 billion in savings Currie on March 3, 2008. He (WA, Calgary-Fish Creek) which will be reinvested in currently serves as a member mandates the reporting of priority areas identified by the of the Standing Committee on child pornography. Where Government. an individual believes that the Economy, the Standing CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/SUMMER 2010 47 Committee on Community Other Matters as lawmakers and community Services, and the Standing representatives. The program is On March 9, 2010, Speaker Committee on Privileges and sponsored by the Royal Canadian Ken Kowalski hosted a ceremony Elections, Standing Orders and Legion, Alberta NWT Command, in the Legislature Building Printing. The Assembly now has which also assists with the Rotunda recognizing Alberta’s two independent Members. program. Francophone community. Les Auditor General Rendez-vous de la Francophonie Speaker Kowalski hosted an is a celebration of the province’s event in the Legislature Rotunda On April 14, 2010, the Assembly French culture and history. on April 14, 2010, to celebrate approved a motion to concur Joining Speaker Kowalski the Sikh Festival of Vaisakhi. in the report of the Select during the recognition ceremony Vaisakhi is an ancient harvest in Special Auditor General were Hector Goudreau, Punjab and marks the beginning Search Committee to appoint Minister of Municipal Affairs; of a new solar year and harvest as Auditor Merwan N.