Alberta.

AuthorRempel, Jody
PositionLegislative Reports

3rd Session of the 29th Legislature

On Thursday, March 2, 2017, the 3rd session of the 29th Legislature commenced with the Speech from the Throne, delivered by Lieutenant Governor Lois Mitchell. The speech focused on job creation, improvement of public services and maintaining an affordable cost of living. Later that afternoon Minister of Education David Eggen, MLA (Edmonton-Calder) introduced Bill 1, An Act to Reduce School Fees. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the School Act to place limitations on the fees charged by school boards for student transportation, textbooks, and instructional fees.

Budget 2017-2018

On March 16, 2017, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Joe Ceci, MLA (Calgary-Fort), tabled the Government's Budget 2017 fiscal plan. As in previous years the main estimates for each ministry have been referred to one of three Legislative Policy Committees for consideration. The meetings to consider the estimates were scheduled to run through April 19, 2017, when all estimates will be voted on in Committee of Supply. In recent years, the estimates for each ministry have been scheduled for three hours of consideration with the exception of Executive Council which, under the Standing Orders, receives two hours of consideration. This year, for the first time, the Official Opposition has used Standing Order 59.01(3.1) to designate four ministries for which estimates are considered for up to six hours while also designating three ministries for which estimates consideration is set at two hours. The 2017-18 estimates of the following four ministries have been designated to receive six hours of consideration: Justice and Solicitor General; Environment and Parks; Health; and Education. Accordingly, the time scheduled for consideration of the estimates for Status of Women, Service Alberta, and Indigenous Relations has been reduced to two hours for each ministry. Executive Council continues to be set at two hours by the Standing Orders.

Cabinet Changes

On January 19, 2017, Premier Rachel Notley announced the creation of the new Ministry of Children's Services by dividing the responsibilities of the Ministry of Human Services. Danielle Larivee, formerly the Minister of Municipal Affairs, is now the Minister of Children's Services. Irfan Sabir, previously the Minister of Human Services, retains responsibility for the services that remain under the renamed Ministry of Community and Social Services. Shaye Anderson is now...

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