Legislative Assembly Office Annual Report 2018‑2019
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Legislative Assembly Office MANAGING TRANSITION Annual Report 2018‑2019 CONTENTS Message from the Speaker 4 Message from the Clerk 6 Our Story 8 Our Services 10 Vision, Mission and Values 12 Our Performance 13 Featured Events 27 By the Numbers 32 Financial Statements 37 Members of the 29th Legislature 52 Conferences 56 Annual Report 2018‑2019 3 MESSAGE FROM THE SPEAKER NOVEMBER 2019 and March 31, 2019. This report marks a shift to results‑ The Legislative Assembly of Alberta, as the focal point based reporting and performance measured against the of the democratic process in our province, is responsible goals outlined in our 2018‑19 strategic plan. for passing laws, many of which affect the daily lives of Albertans. I am honoured to count myself among the The top priority for the past year was planning for the 87 individuals who collectively represent over 4 million transition from one Legislature to the next. As this Albertans. report will show, the LAO explored ways to innovate its processes and improve services for Members in I was voted Speaker by my colleagues following the support of Alberta’s parliamentary system, which while provincial general election on April 16, 2019. As Speaker steeped in tradition is ever‑evolving to meet the needs I oversee the Legislative Assembly Office (LAO), an of Albertans. organization created to assist Members in fulfilling their obligations and responsibilities to the people of Alberta. I look forward to leading the LAO through the changes and challenges to come, and I am excited to engage I am pleased to present the 2018‑19 annual report of the with Albertans in my new role as Speaker. I hope to LAO. It outlines our performance between April 1, 2018, inspire in them a life‑long passion for active citizenship. 4 Legislative Assembly of Alberta The Honourable Nathan Cooper, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Annual Report 2018‑2019 5 MESSAGE FROM THE CLERK NOVEMBER 2019 the election and has been largely regarded by users as This annual report highlights our organizational a success. priorities for the 2018‑19 fiscal year and the initiatives we undertook to achieve them. It illustrates the many We also devoted time to engaging the public in the ways in which our team helped Members manage the legislative system through our many educational responsibilities and challenges of their roles as elected programs and tours and set in motion several new representatives. initiatives to continue to foster a collaborative workplace culture. During the reporting period we focused on the transition from the 29th to the 30th Legislature by developing new It has been a busy year, and I am proud of what our team tools and improving existing resources to deliver services has accomplished together. to Members more efficiently and effectively. One stand‑ out project from the year was the redevelopment of We are honoured to support the democratic process the Legislative Assembly intranet site, OurHouse. This in Alberta and committed to providing nonpartisan organization‑wide initiative was undertaken to better support and services to all Members of the Legislative assist with the orientation of new Members following Assembly. 6 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Shannon Dean, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta Annual Report 2018‑2019 7 OUR STORY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OFFICE Established in 1983, we are a services to MLAs that help them to We are fortunate to be the unique entity separate from effectively represent Albertans. beneficiaries of a rich parliamentary government, with the dedication tradition, dating back to and commitment to provide all Our educational programs 14th ‑century England. We work Members, regardless of party encourage Albertans to become hard to uphold and abide by affiliation, with the support they informed and active citizens. parliamentary tradition while at the require to perform their duties same time ensuring our operations in their constituencies and in the We also ensure the continuity and adapt to the ever‑changing needs of Assembly. impartiality of Alberta’s legislative the Members we serve, continually process during periods of transition supporting the best interests of We support parliamentary from one Legislature to the next Albertans. democracy in Alberta by providing following a provincial general administrative and procedural election. 8 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Annual Report 2018‑2019 9 OUR SERVICES OFFICE OF THE CLERK INTERPARLIAMENTARY HOUSE SERVICES RELATIONS The Clerk is the chief executive House Services provides procedural, officer of the Legislative Interparliamentary Relations research and administrative support Assembly and has authority and is responsible for organizing for Assembly and committee responsibility equivalent to that of participation in parliamentary proceedings and produces a deputy minister of a government associations. This includes Assembly and committee department. Under the direction co ‑ordinating Member participation documents and records. of the Speaker the Clerk has in conferences, seminars and both procedural and managerial exchanges in Canada and abroad. House Services is divided into four responsibilities and oversees the units: delivery of nonpartisan services. PARLIAMENTARY • Journals COUNSEL COMMUNICATIONS • Research and Committee Services SERVICES The office of Parliamentary Counsel • Alberta Hansard provides legal advice and support • Venue Services Communications Services provides on a broad range of issues, including strategic planning, consulting and questions of procedure, contract CORPORATE SERVICES design expertise to internal and law, employment law and leases. external audiences. The branch Some members of the office serve delivers professional writing, design as table officers, providing legal and Corporate Services comprises and web services and co‑ordinates procedural advice in the Assembly. administrative support relating social media and media relations. It to human resources, financial also assists with planning, execution management and information and documentation in support of technology and broadcast services. special events. 10 Legislative Assembly of Alberta HUMAN RESOURCE Administrative services include Chamber and constituency SERVICES furniture, equipment and supplies offices. It also encourages the procurement; constituency office public to become involved in the services (leasing, set‑up, moves, et parliamentary process through Human Resource Services cetera) and property management participation in tours of the provides customized human co‑ordination for LAO offices and Legislature Building, educational resource management as well caucuses. programs, exhibitions and events. as compensation and consulting services. It provides leadership and advice on organizational design IT AND BROADCAST LIBRARY SERVICES and planning, recruitment, talent SERVICES management and development, Library Services assembles employee relations, health and Information Technology focuses collections of relevant knowledge wellness, disability management, on introducing the latest in in all available formats and increases Member remuneration and staff technology to best serve the needs the accessibility of information. As compensation and classification. of stakeholders. resources allow, service is provided to the civil service and the general FINANCIAL Audiovisual and broadcast oversees public. MANAGEMENT the production and distribution of live and on‑demand sessions. The branch also has responsibility The staff capture, record, archive for records management and Financial Management services and distribute all audio and video administers the Freedom of include budget preparation; signals for Chamber, committee Information and Protection of Privacy processing of claims, expenses and special events. Act as it applies to the Legislative and allowances; transaction Assembly Office. compliance review and accounting; preparation of monthly reports; VISITOR, CEREMONIAL preparation of financial statements AND SECURITY SERVICES and co‑ordination of the financial statement audit. Visitor, Ceremonial and Security Services (VCSS) manages all security for the Legislature Annual Report 2018‑2019 11 VISION, MISSION AND VALUES OUR VISION To provide exemplary service to Members of the Legislative Assembly in keeping with the values and traditions of Alberta’s parliamentary system. OUR MISSION • To provide nonpartisan support to the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly as they carry out their roles as elected representatives. • To uphold the traditions of the Legislative Assembly. • To increase public awareness and engagement in the work of the Legislative Assembly. OUR VALUES Employees of the Legislative Assembly Office are proud to provide services to the Legislative Assembly on behalf of the citizens of Alberta. We are guided in our work and conduct by a core set of principles that motivate us as individuals and cause us to work collaboratively to achieve our vision and mission. Improvement Impartiality Integrity Involvement Encouraging a commit‑ Acting in an impartial Providing services in an Promoting awareness ment to ongoing and objective manner at accountable, responsive, and engagement in the development of skills and all times to support the ethical and dedicated democratic process. services that enhance the unique and politically manner. operations of the LAO neutral role of the LAO. while respecting the traditions of the office. 12 Legislative Assembly of Alberta OUR PERFORMANCE Setting a strategic