Alberta.

• Author: Rempel, Jody
• Position: Legislative Reports

1st Session of the 29th Legislature--fall sitting

The fall sitting of the 1st Session of the 29th Legislature took place from October 26 to December 10, 2015. The 2015-2016 main estimates, delayed due to the 2015 spring election, were considered by the Legislative Policy Committees (LPCs) during two weeks in November and passed by Committee of Supply on November 25, 2015. Once main estimates consideration in committee had concluded the Assembly commenced morning sittings, from 10:00 a.m. until noon on Tuesdays and 9:00 a.m. until noon on Wednesdays and Thursdays, pursuant to recent Standing Orders amendments.

One of the most controversial Bills brought forward during the Fall Sitting was Bill 6, Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act. The Bill proposed making farms and ranches subject to occupational health and safety legislation, expanding Workers' Compensation Board coverage to paid farm workers, and making changes to include farms and ranches under other employment and labour relations legislation. Thousands of protesters made their views known online, at the Legislature, and in communities around the province, and Members debated the Bill at length in the Assembly. After considerable debate of Bill 6 at Second Reading, the Government moved and the Assembly passed time allocation motions to limit further debate of the Bill at Second Reading, during Committee of the Whole consideration, and at Third Reading. The Bill received Royal Assent on December 11, 2015.

The sessional calendar released on January 15, 2016, indicates that the 2nd Session of the 29th Legislature will convene on March 8, 2016.

Changes to Caucus Membership

On January 8, 2016, it was announced that Deborah Drever, MLA (Calgary-Bow) would return to the New Democrat (ND) caucus. Ms. Drever was suspended from the ND caucus in June 2015 shortly after her election because of a series of controversial social media posts she made prior to her election. The success of having her Private Member's Public Bill passed with support from all sides of the Assembly has been credited for playing a major part in her return to the Government caucus. Bill 204, Residential Tenancies (Safer Spaces for Victims of Domestic Violence) Amendment Act, 2015, makes it easier for victims of domestic abuse to break their leases without penalty in order to escape a violent situation.

Committee Business

After consideration of the 2015-2016 main estimates by the LPCs, the committees of the...