AB Today – Daily Report November 8, 2019

Quotation of the day

“Those Tory premiers supported long before this premier’s pancake plane party.”

NDP Leader slams Premier ’s use of Alberta taxpayer dollars ​ ​ ​ ​ to fly other premiers on a chartered plane from the Stampede to the Council of the Federation meeting in Saskatoon.

Publisher’s Note: The next issue of AB Today will be distributed on Tuesday, ​ ​ November 12, following the Remembrance Day statutory holiday.

Today in AB

On the schedule The legislative assembly is observing Remembrance Day on Monday and will break for a constituency week.

The house will return on November 18.

Thursday’s debates and proceedings Energy Minister , on behalf of Justice Minister , introduced Bill ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 23, Justice Statutes Amendment Act. The bill amends three acts, allowing the Court of Queen’s ​ Bench to be renamed the Court of King’s Bench if and when the monarch changes. It also

changes the eligibility age for part-time service for judges and masters in chambers to 55 instead of 60.

The bill also has an amendment to allow the justices of the Court of Queen’s Bench and Court of Appeal to access federal funds to attend meetings related to administration of justice.

UCP MLA introduced Bill 206, the Workers’ Compensation (Enforcement of ​ ​ ​ ​ Decisions) Amendment Act, which seeks to improve the timeliness for claimants receiving compensation from the WCB. The bill was granted first reading.

UCP MLA Dan Williams introduced Bill 207, Conscience Rights (Health Care Providers) ​ ​ ​ ​ Protection Act. A vote was held on the first reading stage of the bill, which passed with a split along party lines. (Ayes 36; Nays 15). The wording of the bill does not change current laws, which require health-care providers to give referrals for services such as abortion and medical assistance in dying if they refuse to provide them themselves. Bill 207 was sent to committee. ​ ​

MLAs also debated second reading of Bill 21, Ensuring Fiscal Sustainability Act. ​ ​

In the legislature Speaker Nathan Cooper hosted a Remembrance Day ceremony in the rotunda of the ​ ​ legislature on Thursday. In the house, he apologized to the NDP for failing to provide the party with an invitation to an Indigenous veterans’ ceremony.

Firefighters who are part of the cancelled Wildland Firefighter Rappel Program attended an NDP news conference and sat in the gallery during question period.

Tae-In Chung, consul general of the Republic of Korea, was in the Speaker’s gallery. ​

Premier watch Premier Jason Kenney will give a keynote speech at the Manning Centre regional networking ​ ​ conference in Red Deer on Saturday afternoon. An announcement is expected. ​

Kenney, Notley exchange barbs, debate federalism at budget meeting Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and his predecessor in office, NDP Leader Rachel Notley, had ​ ​ ​ ​ a heated exchange during the main estimates for executive council on Thursday, with Notley at one point questioning his loyalty to Canada and Kenney accusing her of ridiculing struggling Albertans.

The fiery debate also led to questions about budget expenses under the premier’s watch, with Notley decrying the cost of a chartered flight Kenney organized for Conservative premiers and their wives this summer.

She was also critical of what she said was partisan use of the premier’s office and staff, Kenney’s proposed equalization referendum, and appointments to agencies, boards and commissions.

Pancake party Notley asked why Kenney chartered a July flight, at a cost of $16,000 to Alberta taxpayers, from Calgary to Saskatoon that included 16 passengers — Kenney and staff members, but also premiers and their wives, who were flying back from a pancake breakfast at the Calgary Stampede to a Council of the Federation meeting the next day.

Notley called it entitlement. Kenney called it hospitality.

“Ms. Notley, you don't establish relations by sitting here in isolation,” Kenney said in committee. “You do it by building the relationships. I make absolutely no apologies.”

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s Alberta director Franco Terrazzano denounced the ​ ​ spending.

“Albertans didn’t vote for Kenney to waste tax dollars on fancy charter plane rides,” said Terrazzano. “Albertans voted for Kenney to clean up the culture at the legislature, and this is the same old frivolous culture that has plagued taxpayers for years. Kenney needs to fix this culture immediately.”

Flights for Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and his wife Krista Moe, New Brunswick Premier ​ ​ ​ ​ Blaine Higgs and his wife Marcia Higgs, and former Northwest Territories Premier Bob ​ ​ ​ ​ McLeod were all paid for by Alberta taxpayers. Moe’s chief of staff Shannon Andrews, and ​ ​ ​ McLeod’s cabinet secretary Mike Aumond and principal secretary Gary Bohnet were also on ​ ​ ​ ​ the flight, as was Higgs’ chief of staff Louis Léger and director of communications Nicolle ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Carlin. ​

Twitter trolling Notley also questioned the cost and role of staff within the premier’s office with an eye to their social media behaviour. She took particular aim at Matt Wolf, the premier’s director of issues ​ ​ management, who she accused of co-ordinating the alleged “kamikaze” campaign of former UCP leadership contestant Jeff Callaway, who ran against Kenney in the leadership bid but ​ ​ has since been accused of colluding with Kenney’s campaign to attack rival Brian Jean. ​ ​

Wolf sat in the wings of the committee meeting but left during discussion of the charter flight.

Kenney said Wolf has been accused of no wrongdoing.

Notley also asked who runs the “Unite Alberta” Twitter account, which until recently was described as being an account of the office of the premier.

Equalization Notley also asked about the premier’s proposed referendum on equalization, which led to a tense exchange about national loyalty.

“You claim that you’re a federalist, but do you honestly think it is responsible to ask Albertans to cast their ballot and to get worked up over an equalization provision?” she asked, arguing the vote would amount to little more than divisive grandstanding.

“I resent the leader of the Opposition casting aspersions on my loyalty,” replied Kenney. “I have always been, through my entire life, clear that I am and always will be a proud Canadian.”

Kenney insisted that the referendum would highlight the billions Alberta makes in equalization payments to other provinces and said, while some in Alberta would like the referendum to take place immediately, he plans to keep the date concurrent with the next municipal election date in October 2021.

Today’s events November 8 at 7:45 a.m. — Calgary ​ Education Minister Adriana LaGrange will speak at the College of Alberta School ​ ​ Superintendents fall conference.

November 8 at 9:45 a.m. — Sherwood Park ​ Municipal Affairs Minister will make an announcement on funding for Alberta ​ ​ libraries at the Strathcona County Library.

November 8 at 10 a.m. — ​ Infrastructure Minister will speak at the Young Presidents’ Organization ​ ​ roundtable in Government House.

November 8 at 2 p.m. — Edmonton ​ Lieutenant-Governor Lois Mitchell will host the Royal Canadian Humane Association’s annual ​ ​ investiture of Bravery Awards at Government House.

Topics of conversation

● The Council of the Federation will meet on December 2 in Toronto. ○ Ontario Premier Doug Ford offered to host the meeting, following a conference ​ ​ call between the premiers after the federal election.

● Encana selected Denver as its new headquarters in an announcement made Thursday. Last week the company told shareholders it would be moving its headquarters away from Calgary.

● The government is beginning a consultation on the Choice In Education Act, starting with ​ ​ a survey and feedback.

● A joint statement from the 22 nations in Treaty 8 territory says Wexit could not happen ​ ​ without years of treaty renegotiations. ○ “It is a bad idea,” the chiefs said. “The separation of Alberta and Saskatchewan would impose an international border through the heart of the Treaty No. 8 territory.

● The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate headed by Del Graff released his office’s ​ ​ ​ ​ 2018-19 annual report. ○ The report highlighted youth opioid use, completed 13 investigative reviews into systemic issues in the youth justice system, and looked at supports for young adults older than 18 who passed away after aging out of care — a hot issue after the UCP pulled back on funding for this group in its recent budget. ○ The report also includes progress made on previous recommendations. ​ ​

Funding announcements Ministry of Advanced Education, Ministry of Education ● The government is increasing its funding to Skills Canada Alberta to $8 million over four years, up to $2 million annually from $1.5 million.

Appointments and employments Balancing Pool ● Former leader Greg Clark was appointed as chair of the Balancing Pool ​ ​ for a three year term, replacing Robert Bhatia. ​ ​

Question Period

NDP kickoff

● NDP Leader Rachel Notley led off question period by asking why the premier has ​ ​ money to fly premiers from other provinces on a chartered plane and for a $4.7-billion corporate tax handout, but none for indexing of Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped.

○ “This isn’t hospitality; it’s hypocrisy. Will he pay Albertans back for his irresponsible $16,000 plane ride on Air Tory?” Notley asked.

● Premier Jason Kenney replied the revenue shortfall this year is $100 million, not $4.7 ​ ​ billion, and the job-creation tax cut will create 55,000 net new jobs. ○ “We ran on a commitment to stop Alberta’s isolation under the NDP, to build alliances with like-minded provinces,” Kenney said. “That’s why we hosted several premiers, representing 60 per cent of the population, in Calgary. We provided them with logistical support to get to the Council of the Federation, part of our effort to stand up for Albertans.”

Other NDP questions

NDP MLAs also asked about the cancellation of the Wildland Firefighter Rappel Program and the Provincial Operations Centre, cuts to rural education funding, the new RAPID Force team, public sector wage rollbacks, the Valley Line LRT, lead in drinking water, and the lack of a new north Edmonton school in the capital plan.

● NDP critic for women and LGBTQ issues asked about the private member’s ​ ​ bill on conscience rights, quoting the premier as saying a UCP government would not debate or initiatie legislation on abortion. ○ “Fast-forward a few short months and what do we have? An MLA from the Uterus Control Party introducing a bill that’s all about abortion,” Irwin said. “To the premier: will you stand by your words and declare in this house today that you will not support this bill?”

● Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women Minister said she wasn’t ​ ​ going to talk about a private member’s bill, let alone one that hadn’t been tabled yet.

UCP friendly questions

UCP backbench MLAs asked about repairing alliances with other provinces, caseloads for youth workers, changes to the teachers’ pension management, and access to mental health services.

Lobbyist registrations

If you are looking for further information on any lobbying registry, it is all public and easily searchable here. ​ ​

Consultants who registered as lobbyists from November 1, 2019 – November 7, 2019

● Daniel Matte, Tact Intellegence-conseil ​ o Clients: Garda Canada Security Corporation ​

● Philip Dewan, Counsel Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Adapt Pharma Canada Ltd. ​

● Brookes Merritt, Loyalton Strategies Inc. ​ o Clients: Consulting Engineers of Alberta ​

● Douglas Horner, Timber Wolf Investments ​ o Clients: West Coast Reduction Ltd. ​

● Randy Pettipas, Global Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Calgary Economic Development, BioMarin, Alberta Innovation Corridor, ​ International Paper

● Monte Solberg, New West Public Affairs ​ o Clients: NorthRiver Midstream Inc. ​

Organizations that registered in-house lobbyists from November 1 2019 – November 7, 2019

● PetroChina Canada Ltd. ● Canadian Federation of Independent Business ● Syncrude Canada Ltd. ● Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. ● United Farmers of Alberta Cooperative Limited ● Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) ● Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers ● Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) Alberta Association ● Alberta Charitable Casino Operators ● Heartland Generation Ltd. ● MNP LLP ● General Teamsters, Local Union No. 362 ● Business Council of Canada ● Cashco Financial Inc. ● Retail Council of Canada