Alberta government lays out priorities for the fall legislative session

The Alberta legislature is set to reconvene on Monday and the Smith government will soon be providing more details about its plans for the session.

House Leader Joseph Schow said Friday that, so far, the provincial government has delivered on promises to improve health care, public safety and the rights of Albertans.

"This session, we look forward to building upon this progress with a collection of legislation that enshrines and fortifies Alberta's rights and freedoms."

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He said the 13 bills the government intends to introduce amendments and improvements to the Alberta Bill of Rights, changes to firearms regulations and build up property rights.

"They are the cornerstones of living in a free and democratic society," Schow said.

There will also be legislation aimed at young Albertans, particularly those who are considering taking steps to change their gender.

"Alberta's government will also be introducing legislation to preserve the choices children and youth have before potentially making life-altering and irreversible adult decisions involving alteration of their biological sex," Schow said.

In terms of anyone finding issues with an affordability crisis, Schow said "one of the best ways" to deal with it is with a job.

"This province has people coming into it in droves because they see it as this amazing place to live, to work and to invest," Schow said.

"This is a great place to start a business. This is a great place to hire Albertans who do amazing, world-class work."

The proposed bills to be introduced this session include:

• Alberta Bill of Rights Amendment Act, 2024;
• Early Learning and Child Care Amendment Act, 2024;
• Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024;
• Education Amendment Act, 2024;
• Meat Inspection Amendment Act, 2024;
• Fairness and Safety in Sport Act;
• Service Alberta Statutes Amendment Act, 2024;
• Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2024;
• Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2024;
• Protection of Privacy Act;
• Access to Information Act;
• All-season Resorts Act; and
• Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2024.

Schow said the government hopes to have all 13 bills tabled as soon as possible.

"So that Alberta can see them, so we can debate them robustly in the chamber and the Opposition can do their job as the opposition and work to hold the government accountable."

He said the Alberta Bill of Rights Amendment Act will be introduced on Monday.

The fall session is scheduled to wrap up no later than Dec. 5.

Critics argue the fall agenda isn't focused on the things Albertans have been asking for.

Political analyst John Brennan says it's the exact opposite.

He believes the UCP is pandering to its base and ignoring the concerns of every-day residents.

"Their focus is on making sure their leader, the premier, gets a resounding vote at the leadership review vote in Red Deer," he told CTV News on Friday.

"These are issues that are targeted at a small percentage of Albertans — and in fact, I would say a small subset of the United Conservative Party. They're the people that Danielle Smith has been pandering to for months in the lead-up to the leadership review."

The opposition NDP house leader agrees.

Christina Gray was hoping to see more targeted measures that addressed inflation, cost of living and housing.

She also questioned when the UCP's long-promised and long-delayed income tax cut will arrive.

"What we see is an agenda being brought forward that is top priority for these fringe grassroot elements of the premier's political party," she said.

"It is shameful, and it is not addressing the needs of Alberta families."

Schow refutes those claims.

He insists the party has travelled around the province and gathered information about what specific things voters are looking for, and when they want them.

"The bills that are coming forward, these are all a long time in the making," he said.

"You're welcome to your opinion on the matter, but what I would say is we're responding to what we're hearing."