Alberta.

AuthorMassolin, Philip
PositionLegislative Reports - The Spring Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Twenty-Seventh Legislature of Alberta, Canada

The Spring Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Twenty-Seventh Legislature, which commenced on February 22, 2011, and adjourned on May 12, 2011, lasted 34 sitting days, or 153 sitting hours. During the sitting, the Assembly passed 19 Government Bills, three Private Bills and one Private Members' Bill. One Government Bill and seven Private Members' Public Bills, along with other Private Members' business items, remained on the Order Paper upon the adjournment of the sitting.

The Fourth Session commenced with the Speech from the Throne, delivered for the first time by Donald S. Ethell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. The Speech from the Throne emphasized the need for the Province of Alberta to meet the challenges of a changing global economy and highlighted the new importance of Asia as a market for Alberta's export products. The Speech from the Throne also made note of the importance of investing in infrastructure and enhancing the global competitiveness of Alberta industry. In addition, the Speech from the Throne identified the education system, investments in the workforce, environmental stewardship in the oil sands, water management and clean energy technology, ongoing support for the public healthcare system, and the fostering of safe and vibrant communities as priority areas for the Government of Alberta.

The Budget Address was delivered on February 24, 2011, and on April 20, 2011, after eight meetings in the Committee of Supply and 16 meetings in the various Policy Field Committees (a total of 67 hours and 23 minutes) during which Members of the Assembly considered the Main Estimates, the Assembly approved the Main Estimates. The Appropriation Act, 2011 came into force on April 29, 2011, and included $34,170,726,000 voted for expenses and charges of the Public Service and $2,420,523,000 voted for capital investment for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

The Alberta Land Stewardship Amendment Act

Bill 10, Alberta Land Stewardship Amendment Act generated considerable interest amongst the Members of the Legislative Assembly during the Spring Sitting. Bill 10 proposed amendments to the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, including the establishment of a review process for those who are adversely affected by a regional plan, the requirement for public consultation during planning, and the need for draft regional plans to be provided to the Assembly prior to approval.

Some Members from opposition parties queried whether the public had been sufficiently...

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