Alberta.

• Author: Gravel, Micheline S.
• Position: Legislative Reports

The Fall sitting of the Second Session of the 27th Legislature adjourned on December 9, 2009, after 16 sitting days. At the conclusion of the sitting, 16 Government Bills and one Private Members' Public Bill had been passed by the Assembly.

In the first week of the Fall sitting the Assembly debated a motion regarding the issue of Alberta Capital Bonds which would be used to support the development of infrastructure projects and facilities. Capital bonds were previously issued in Alberta from 1987 to 1997. While the motion did not come to a vote in the Assembly, there was a wide ranging debate surrounding Alberta's current economic picture and capital plan.

A notable Bill passed during the Fall sitting was Bill 50, Electric Statutes Amendment Act, 2009. The Bill was introduced in June 2009 during the Spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly and carried over to the Fall sitting. The amendments to legislation contained in Bill 50 give the government the authority to approve transmission infrastructure projects based on recommendations of the Alberta Electric System Operator, a nonprofit body with the responsibility of ensuring that Alberta's electricity system operates in the public interest of all Albertans. The opposition expressed a great deal of concern over the financial impact the upgrades would have on Albertans. A reasoned amendment and the previous question were moved during Second Reading consideration. A hoist amendment was also moved during Third Reading.

On November 2, 2009, Brian Mason (ND, Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood) requested leave to move, pursuant to Standing Order 30, that the ordinary business of the Assembly be adjourned for an emergency debate regarding the Government's inadequate preparations for the pandemic HIN1 influenza program. Speaker Ken Kowalski ruled that the request for leave was in order. He indicated that he understood that many Albertans had questions with respect to this matter and noted that a similar debate was also being held in the Canadian House of Commons that same day. The last Standing Order 30 application to proceed in the Assembly was in November 2007.

New Chief Electoral Officer and Auditor General Search Committee

On November 25, 2009, the Assembly passed a motion to concur with the appointment of Brian Fjeldheim as Chief Electoral Officer as recommended in the November 2009 report of the Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee. Mr. Fjeldheim had previously served as Chief...