Alberta.

• Author: Rempel, Jody
• Position: Legislative Reports

Change to Cabinet

On June 18, 2018, Brian Malkinson, MLA (Calgary-Currie), replaced Stephanie McLean, MLA (Calgary-Varsity) as Minister of Service Alberta. In addition, Brandy Payne, MLA (Calgary-Acadia), is no longer serving as Associate Minister of Health and this portfolio has been discontinued. This move reduces the size of Cabinet to 19 ministers in addition to the Premier.

Change to Caucus

On July 14, 2018, Prab Gill, MLA (Calgary-Greenway), resigned from the United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus following the completion of a report into accusations of his alleged involvement in procedural irregularities during the election of a board for the constituency association in Calgary-North East. Mr. Gill indicated that he disagreed with the findings of the report but would accept them and that he would continue serve his constituents as an Independent MLA.

Derek Fildebrandt, MLA (Strathmore-Brooks), who has been sitting as an Independent in the Assembly, has become the interim leader of the new Freedom Conservative Party of Alberta (FCP) and will be recognized in the upcoming sitting as a member of the FCP in the Assembly. The FCP has indicated it will have a leadership contest this fall, and that it will only run candidates in areas of the province where the governing New Democratic Party (NDP) is less popular in order that a conservative candidate may have the best opportunity to prevail.

With these developments the composition of the Legislative Assembly is now 54 seats for the NDP, 26 seats for the UCP, three seats for the Alberta Party, and one seat each for the Alberta Liberal Party, the Progressive Conservative Party, the FCP and an Independent Member.

Changes to the Standing Orders

On May 8, 2018, the Assembly approved amendments to the Standing Orders which impacted the daily routine of the Assembly and participation in committee meetings. Standing Order 7, which requires unanimous consent for the Daily Routine to extend beyond 3 pm, was amended with the addition of a suborder stating that the "Government House Leader, or member of the Executive Council acting on the Government House Leader's behalf, may provide...