The spring session of the Legislature adjourned yesterday after a long week of late sittings. Session wrapped up the same day as the first anniversary of the UCP government’s mandate, and it has certainly been a busy and eventful year in Alberta politics.
Government priorities this spring focused on reforming Alberta’s well-funded but poorly performing health care system, addressing spikes in power prices, and challenging federal overreach into Alberta’s energy sector.
The contentious Bills 18, 20 and 21 related to local government reforms surprised and upset many municipal leaders, leaving them with the less desirable option of engaging with government after a decision is made rather than before. Of note, this government does send signals for major policy changes and makes critical decisions with many layers of reasons and rationale.
For example, legislative changes to the sheriff services are less a nod toward a provincial police force and more of a response to the RCMP’s inability to recruit and fulfill their contractual commitments to Alberta. Crime in rural Alberta has increased and the types of crime are becoming more severe, factors not lost on this government.
The provincial budget, which passed during this latest legislative session, contained record high operating spending in health and education. Major capital projects such as roads, schools, and government facilities have budget commitments as well, which will help Alberta welcome record numbers of new citizens from across Canada and around the world.
The Government also continued to address affordability issues, including a review of all aspects of Alberta’s electricity system to help lower utility bills. The focus has been on price protections to help Albertans manage the cost of electricity and a review of distribution and transmission policies.
The spring legislative session again demonstrated the style of the Smith government: collaborative and transparent. But it can be a challenge to alter a policy or legislative change once a decision is made and direction set by Caucus and the Cabinet. Ministers’ doors are open to those with constructive ideas that align with mandate items.
Meanwhile, the Official Opposition NDP launched a leadership race this spring with a new leader to be announced on June 22. The field of diverse candidates has four candidates, including Naheed Nenshi, the former mayor of Calgary. While higher membership sales in that city seem to indicate an advantage for Nenshi, leadership elections are about effective and efficient voter turnout, so it will be interesting to see which candidate has the most motivated base.
Looking ahead, the fall session will likely be shorter than the spring, but the government has already signalled significant additional changes for the electricity, healthcare, and resource sectors.
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For more information and insights about what these developments mean for Alberta’s political landscape, please contact:
Richard Feehan – Senior Strategy Advisor
feehan@prairieskystrategy.ca
780.940.8956
Rick Fraser – Senior Strategy Advisor
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403.701.7584
Colleen Potter – Senior Strategy Advisor
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587.500.2336
Mat Steppan – Senior Strategy Advisor
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780.236.1543
Jeff Sterzuk – President
jeff@prairieskystrategy.ca
403.612.1724
Ben Thibault – Senior Strategy Advisor
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587.897.6261
Richard Truscott – Vice-President
richard@prairieskystrategy.ca
403.998.0494
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