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- Alberta’s 2026 budget projects a $9.4-billion deficit, marking a second straight year deep in the red and setting up four consecutive deficits, which would violate the Province’s own fiscal framework limiting consecutive shortfalls. Finance Minister Nate Horner acknowledged the difficult outlook and signalled the government may revisit its fiscal rules as revenues decline, largely due to a $3.1-billion drop in non-renewable resource income tied to lower oil price forecasts. Total revenue is expected to fall to $74.6 billion, while expenses rise to $83.9 billion, driven in part by increased spending in education, health, and social services. The Province’s total debt is projected to climb to $128.7 billion in 2026-27, with further increases anticipated in the following years and growing debt-servicing costs. The budget also includes tax and fee hikes, such as higher education property taxes and a new 6% vehicle rental tax.
- Alberta is advancing plans for its Alberta Sheriffs Police Service (ASPS) through Bill 15, which would allow roughly 600 sheriffs already performing “police-like” duties to become fully trained police officers with six weeks of additional training. The legislation transfers the staff and budget of the Alberta Sheriffs branch to the new Crown corporation, while the remaining sheriffs continue roles like courthouse security and prisoner transport. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis framed the move as enhancing safety and providing faster response times, but critics have raised concerns about training adequacy, recruitment challenges, cost transparency, and potential overwork for sheriffs who don’t transition. The government says that the new service supplements rather than replaces the RCMP.
- Alberta’s government plans to introduce legislation this spring giving the Province greater control over immigration and regulating medical assistance in dying (MAID). House Leader Joseph Schow said the immigration bill would license international recruiters and increase oversight of employers hiring foreign workers, aiming for a fair and transparent process. The MAID legislation would restrict access for certain groups, including mature minors, individuals with only a mental health condition, adults without decision-making capacity, and those making advanced requests, while strengthening oversight of health-care workers involved. Other legislation will address major projects, red tape reduction, and the potential creation of an independent provincial police service. The spring sitting is scheduled to run until May 14th.
- Half of the recall petitions launched against United Conservative Party MLAs have now failed, with four more efforts recently falling short, according to Elections Alberta. One of the unsuccessful campaigns targeted Agriculture Minister R.J. Sigurdson, gathering only about 9% of the nearly 16,000 signatures required to trigger a vote in his riding. Petitions against other caucus members, including Muhammad Yaseen and Speaker Ric McIver, also failed to meet the threshold, while one effort was withdrawn before the deadline. There are still 12 active petitions against UCP members, including one aimed at the premier, as well as two targeting Alberta NDP MLAs. Many petition organizers cited concerns over the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause and dissatisfaction with local representation. To force a recall vote, organizers must collect signatures equal to 60% of ballots cast in the 2023 election within a three-month window.
- Alberta is once again challenging Ottawa’s Impact Assessment Act in court, arguing that the federal law oversteps constitutional boundaries by regulating projects like pipelines, mines, and ports that fall primarily under provincial jurisdiction. The legislation, enacted in 2019 and amended after a Supreme Court ruling, is intended to assess environmental, economic, health, and social impacts of major projects, but Alberta contends its core purpose remains unconstitutional. Environmental group Ecojustice is intervening to defend the Act, emphasizing that it promotes responsible decision-making rather than blocking development, while the Canadian Constitution Foundation supports Alberta’s position, citing provincial control over local resources. The legal dispute comes amid efforts to expand energy infrastructure and exports, including a recently signed energy agreement between Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney covering pipelines and carbon capture projects.