Alberta.

• Author: Rempel, Jody
• Position: Legislative Reports

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 reducing voter residency requirements and expanding polling options including an increase in the use of advance and mobile polls and voter assist terminals and special ballots.

In addition, the Bill creates the new position of Election Commissioner which, unlike similar positions in other Canadian jurisdictions, is an independent Officer of the Legislature. The Bill specifically tasks the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices with conducting a search for qualified individuals to fill the new position and recommending to the Assembly the candidate the Committee considers to be most suitable. The Committee met on December 20, 2017, to begin the search process. The application deadline was set for January 19, 2018.

Private Members' Public Bills

During the Fall session three private members' public bills received third reading and Royal Assent. Bill 206, Child, Youth and Family Enhancement (Adoption Advertising) Amendment Act, 2017, sponsored by Leela Aheer, MLA (Chestermere-Rocky View), removes restrictions preventing potential adoptive parents from posting online profiles. Bill 209, Radon Awareness and Testing Act, sponsored by Robyn Luff, MLA (Calgary-East), requires the Government to develop educational materials...