Alberta Bill 49 aims to ease requirements for Canadian skilled workers
The province is looking to make it easier for Canadians to apply for work in Alberta under Bill 49, the Labour Mobility Act.
If enacted, it will mean any skilled worker or trades professional who is certified in other provinces will be able to apply for jobs in Alberta.
“(This) will affect more than 100 regulated occupations in a wide range of sectors across Alberta's economy,” said Premier Jason Kenney.
“This will be a growth opportunity for job creators in sectors where there simply are not enough skilled Albertans, in turn, having the necessary skills and talent in our province will make Alberta, a more attractive destination for not just workers, but for investment and businesses.”
Occupations such as optometrists, engineers, accountants and dentists will all be included under Bill 49.
The province says 20,000 net new jobs were created in September, with major investments coming from the film and television industry.
Kenney touted a CD Howe Institute study that predicts a $2.8 billion injection into Alberta’s economy if the act is passed.
Tuesday marks the first day back for the fall session of the legislature.
Although the UCP government plans on pushing for a recovery and job growth, the official opposition says it plans to pile pressure onto Kenney and his government about his response to the fourth wave in Alberta.
Kenney's 'Open for Summer' campaign started July 1, with the premier saying there was no longer a need for restrictions.
Since then, COVID-19 case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths have sky-rocketed, and in September, the province reversed course, bringing back mask mandates and a proof of vaccination program.
Political scientist Duane Bratt believes Bill 49 will pass in the house with ease.
“I don’t think you are going to see automatic opposition from the NDP on this, I think there will be a larger discussion and you might see some cooperation on these issues,” he said.
“It does raise issues about, are people leaving this province because of some of the wage cuts and the confrontation Kenney and Shandro have had in the past that they are now hoping that people will now come to Alberta.”
Government House Leader Jason Nixon outlined plans for the fall session, which does not include a throne speech, though Nixon said there will be one in the spring.
Nixon would not commit to an all-party committee on the province’s pandemic response to the fourth wave, at the request of the NDP, instead calling for a robust debate in the legislature.
“Including with the premier, health minister and the official opposition and all members of the chamber to be able to have a discussion of where we are at on COVID-19,” said Nixon.
“But the robust review will take place where the health minister and the premier have committed to, after we are outside the crisis situation of the pandemic.”
The NDP are also calling for a public inquiry into the fourth wave, with heads of the medical association and AHS, something the UCP will not allow, saying it takes healthcare workers away from the frontlines.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.