Alberta.

• Author: Rempel, Jody
• Position: Legislative Reports

The third sitting of the First Session of the 28th Legislature adjourned on May 15, 2013. Twenty Bills, including two Private Bills and two Private Members Public Bills, received Royal Assent during this sitting. The Assembly is currently scheduled to reconvene on October 28, 2013.

Changes to Cabinet

In response to the severe flooding that affected parts of southern Alberta, Premier Alison Redford adjusted her cabinet by removing two associate ministries and adding three new ones. On June 25, 2013, Rick Fraser, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-South East, was sworn in as Associate Minister for Recovery and Reconstruction (High River). On the same day, Kyle Fawcett, MLA for Calgary-Klein, became the Associate Minister for Recovery and Reconstruction (South West Region), and Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge-West, took on the role of Associate Minister for Recovery and Reconstruction (South East Region). Prior to these appointments Mr. Fawcett and Mr. Weadick served in cabinet as the Associate Minister of Finance and the Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs, respectively. All three of these new associate ministries fall within the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

On August 1, 2013, another post was added to Premier Redford's cabinet when Sandra Jansen, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-North West, was sworn in as Associate Minister of Family and Community Safety. As part of the Ministry of Human Services, this new position will focus on issues related to violence against women, bullying, human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

With these new appointments Premier Redford's cabinet now has 18 ministers, including the Premier, and nine associate ministers.

Changes to Caucus Membership

On May 14, 2013, Peter Sandhu, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Manning announced his resignation from the Progressive Conservative caucus and all official government duties. The resignation followed legal actions filed against Mr. Sandhu with respect to his personal business interests and a related affidavit he had signed. Mr. Sandhu continues to represent the Edmonton-Manning constituency as an independent Member of the Legislative Assembly.

On July 16, 2013, Mike Allen, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo, resigned from the Progressive Conservative caucus following an...