Alberta.

• Date: 22 March 2018
• Author: Rempel, Jody

Third Session of the 29th Legislature

The Fall sitting of the 3rd Session of the 29th Legislature commenced on October 30, 2017. Two Bills related to the upcoming legalization of cannabis, received a significant amount of attention. Bill 26, An Act to Control and Regulate Cannabis, creates a framework for the regulation, distribution, and consumption of cannabis in the province. Bill 29, An Act to Reduce Cannabis and Alcohol Impaired Driving, amends the Traffic Safety Act, to create more tools to address drug-impaired driving. Both Bills received Royal Assent on December 15, 2017 and, with some exceptions, will come into force on Proclamation.

Bill 32

Bill 32, An Act to Strengthen and Protect Democracy in Alberta, which amends the Election Act and the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act, received Royal Assent on December 15, 2017. It sets new limits on spending by third parties and prohibits political parties, contestants and candidates from working with third parties to circumvent spending and contribution limits.

The Bill also sets restrictions on government advertising during the time period following the issuance of a writ through to the end of polling day. It endeavours to encourage voter participation by...