Alberta.

• Author: Rempel, Jody
• Position: Legislative Reports

United Conservative Party (UC) Leadership Contest

On October 6 Danielle Smith, former MLA and former leader of the Wildrose Party, won the leadership contest for the United Conservative (UC) Party with over 50 per cent of the vote on the sixth ballot. She replaces Jason Kenney as leader of the party. Ms. Smith, who did not hold a seat in the Legislative Assembly at the time, was sworn in as Alberta's 19th Premier on October 11, 2022.

Cabinet Changes

A new cabinet, appointed by Premier Smith, was sworn in on October 24. The 27-member cabinet includes Premier Smith, who also oversees the Intergovernmental Relations portfolio, two ministers without portfolio and two Deputy Premiers. Premier Smith also assigned parliamentary secretary roles to 12 Private Members.

By-election

Following her victory in the UC leadership contest, Premier Smith announced her candidacy in a by-election in Brooks-Medicine Hat after the resignation of former MLA Michaela Frey. Smith also indicated that there would be no by-election held to fill the vacant seat for Calgary-Elbow or any other constituency for the remainder of the Legislature. Under Alberta's law on fixed election dates a general election is scheduled to occur on May 29, 2023.

On November 8 Premier Smith secured a seat in the Legislative Assembly after winning the by-election in Brooks-Medicine Hat with approximately 54 per cent of the votes cast. She was sworn in as an MLA on November 29.

Other Membership Changes

On October 6 Ms. Frey (formerly Glasgo) resigned as the Member for Brooks-Medicine Hat. The following day Todd Loewen, MLA, who had left the UC caucus in May, was invited to return to that caucus.

On November 29, the day of the throne speech, Jason Kenney announced that he would be resigning as the Member for Calgary-Lougheed.

The current composition of the Assembly is 60 members of the UC, 23 members of the New Democratic Party and two independent Members. There are also two vacant seats.

Fourth Session of the 30th Legislature

The Session did not resume on October 31 as originally scheduled because the Third Session of the 30th Legislature was prorogued on October 30. The Fourth Session of the 30th Legislature began on November 29, 2022, with the Speech from the Throne. The speech focused on economic issues such as jobs and inflation, access to health care, and the province's relationship with the federal government.

Bill 1

Following the Speech from the Throne, Premier Smith moved First Reading...