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- Alberta’s spring legislative session concluded with the passage of 19 bills focused on restructuring key provincial systems and delivering on campaign promises. Among the legislation was a bill to create a framework for a provincial police force. The government also introduced a law mandating involuntary treatment for individuals struggling with addiction, aiming to address the ongoing drug crisis. New regulations were passed to oversee online gambling platforms, ensuring better control and consumer protection. The auto insurance system will shift toward a no-fault model, intended to reduce legal costs and streamline claims. Another bill removed the requirement for municipal councils to maintain codes of conduct, which we've advocated for for years. A tax-cutting budget was also passed, fulfilling a key UCP promise. Finally, the Province approved legislation transferring various public health roles from Alberta Health Services to the Health Ministry to better align with provincial priorities.
- Speaking of the Legislature, Ric McIver has been elected as the new Speaker of the Alberta Legislature, just hours after stepping down from his role as Municipal Affairs Minister. He replaces Nathan Cooper, who is resigning as an MLA in June to represent Alberta in Washington. McIver, a long-time Calgary-Hays MLA, was chosen over NDP MLA Heather Sweet in a secret ballot vote. Known for his extensive political experience and service under five premiers, McIver promised to approach the Speaker’s role with impartiality and respect for parliamentary traditions. Premier Danielle Smith and opposition leaders expressed confidence in his ability to lead fairly despite his strong partisan background. McIver is now tasked with maintaining order in the legislature and guiding debate, stepping into a non-partisan position for the first time in his career.
- Partly prompted by the election of Ric McIver as Speaker and the departure of Nathan Cooper, Premier Danielle Smith has shuffled Alberta’s Cabinet for the first time since her 2023 election win, expanding it to 27 ministers by adding three new members and reshaping or renaming seven ministries. Key changes include splitting the health ministry into four distinct portfolios: Adriana LaGrange now oversees Primary and Preventative Health, Matt Jones handles Hospital and Surgical Services, Rick Wilson becomes Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, and Jason Nixon takes on Assisted Living and Social Services. Dan Williams replaces Ric McIver as Minister of Municipal Affairs. New cabinet entrants include Andrew Boitchenko as Tourism and Sports Minister, Myles McDougall as Advanced Education Minister, and Grant Hunter as Associate Minister of Water. Demetrios Nicolaides retains the education portfolio and adds child care, while Rajan Sawhney moves to Indigenous Relations.
- Alberta’s government has introduced last-minute amendments to its proposed referendum legislation, asserting that any separation vote would not infringe on First Nations' Treaty rights. The bill, which seeks to make citizen-initiated referendums more achievable, has faced strong opposition from Indigenous leaders. Chiefs from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation dismissed the amendment as meaningless and pledged continued resistance. Critics, including NDP MLAs, argue the government is merely affirming existing legal obligations and failing to consult Indigenous communities properly. In addition to addressing Treaty rights, the Province introduced a second amendment to respond to concerns raised by Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure. McClure had warned that aspects of the bill would significantly weaken oversight of election laws, particularly by limiting the timeframe for investigating violations of campaign finance rules from three years down to just one. In response, the government amended the bill to extend that period to two years.
- Edmonton Centre MP Eleanor Olszewski was appointed by Prime Minister Mark Carney as Alberta’s only federal Cabinet Minister, taking on the role of Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience as well as Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. Olszewski, a lawyer, business owner, and former army reservist, is among several new faces in Carney’s revamped cabinet. The Rural Municipalities of Alberta praised the move, noting that Alberta has faced numerous disasters and will likely face more in the future. Local leaders hope her position will lead to stronger collaboration and financial support for disaster mitigation efforts.
- The University of Calgary has launched the New North America Initiative to explore how Canada’s relationship with the US is shifting under Donald Trump’s second presidency. Researchers will develop fresh policy ideas and partner with American universities to better understand cross-border dynamics. The Alberta government is supporting the initiative with $6.5 million in taxpayer funding. The initiative aims to move beyond traditional government approaches in Ottawa and Washington and examine emerging political movements on both sides to anticipate future policy challenges.