Alberta.

• Date: 22 September 2021
• Author: Rempel, Judy

2021 Spring Sitting Concludes

The Legislative Assembly of Alberta began the 2021 spring sitting of the Second Session of the 30th Legislature on February 25, 2021. It was initially expected that the spring sitting would end on May 20. However, on May 2, following a scheduled constituency week break, Nathan Cooper, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, approved an extension to the adjournment in response to ongoing public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Assembly resumed sitting on May 25 and adjourned on June 16. It is currently anticipated that the fall sitting will commence on October 25.

During the sitting, 26 Bills received Royal Assent, including 22 Government Bills, one Private Bill, and three Private Members' Public Bills. Included among the Government Bills were:

Bill 58, Freedom to Care Act, which provides for volunteer liability protection and allows non-profit and charitable organizations to apply for one-time exemptions from government regulations that impede the ability of the organization to serve the community;

Bill 61, Vital Statistics Amendment Act, which prevents dangerous offenders, long-term offenders, and high-risk offenders from legally changing their name in Alberta;

Bill 63, Police (Street Checks and Carding) Amendment Act, 2021, which clarifies the rules for street checks by police and formalizes the ban on carding; and

Bill 71, Employment Standards (COVID-19 Vaccination Leave) Amendment Act, 2021, which amends the Employment Standards Code to provide up to three hours of job-protected, paid leave to employees to receive a...