Alberta.

• Author: Rempel, Jody
• Position: Legislative Reports

2nd Session of the 29th Legislature

The 2nd Session of the 29th Legislature adjourned for the summer on June 7, 2016, and is expected to resume on October 31, 2016. During the spring sitting the Assembly passed 21 Government Bills, two Private Members' Public Bills, and one Private Bill.

Bill 20, Climate Leadership Implementation Act, often referred to as the "Carbon Tax Bill" was perhaps the most contentious Bill of the session. After considering 21 proposed amendments, and many hours of debate, including one evening sitting that carried on past 4:00 a.m., the Bill was passed on June 7, 2016, the final day of the spring session. The new carbon levy, which will come into effect on January 1, 2017, is anticipated to generate over $9 billion in revenue over five years. Some of these funds will be returned or redistributed through rebates for lower income families, a reduction in small business taxes, and assistance to Indigenous communities and coal-producing communities. The remaining funds collected will be used to create new jobs and diversify the province's energy industry with investment in large scale renewable energy and other technologies, and green infrastructure such as public transit.

Forest Fires and Evacuation of Fort McMurray

In May, the devastation wrought by forest fires in northern Alberta and the related evacuation of the City of Fort McMurray and surrounding communities affected the work of the Assembly and its Members. Members were impacted both personally and professionally as they sought to confirm the safety of friends and family and provide assistance to northern evacuees. Premier Rachel Notley frequently travelled to the northern areas of the province during the initial stages of the emergency and ministerial statements provided regular updates of the status of the fire. MLAs from the Fort McMurray region, the Leader of the Official Opposition, Brian Jean (Fort McMurray-Conklin) and Tany Yao (Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo) were directly affected by the mandatory evacuation of the area. Mr. Yao spent years serving in the Fort McMurray Fire Department, including time as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Operations--EMS, and Mr. Jean is among the many residents whose home was destroyed by the fire.

The schedule of the Assembly was also impacted during the emergency period. The House adjourned early on May 4, 2016, multiple evening sessions were required, and ultimately the spring session ran two days longer than anticipated. A...