Alberta (legislative activity summarized).

• Author: Reynolds, Robert

The 2000 Spring Sitting of the Alberta Legislative Assembly adjourned on May 25th. During the busy 15 week sitting, 20 Government Bills and 3 Private Members Bills received Royal Assent. When the sitting adjourned, 4 Government Bills remained on the Order Paper: Bill 3, Statute Revision Act, Bill 14, Alberta Treasury Branches Amendment Act, 2000, Bill 20, Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2000, and Bill 22, Alberta Corporate Tax Amendment Act, 2000.

Notable Government Bills

The following Bills received Royal Assent:

* Bill 11, Health Care Protection Act, allows for regional health authorities to contract out certain surgical services. This controversial Bill dominated the Spring Sitting. It comes into force on Proclamation.

* Bill 19, Alberta Income Tax Amendment Act, 2000, eliminates the 8 percent high-income surtax retroactive to January 1, 2000. A motion for the previous question was moved during the second reading debate and closure was invoked at the Committee of the Whole stage. The Bill received third reading on May 25th.

* Bill 18, Alberta Personal Income Tax Act, implements a new single rate personal income tax system. There were two amendments passed at the Committee of the Whole stage which changed the tax rate from 11 percent to 10.5 percent, and increased the personal exemptions from $11,620 to $12,900. The Bill received third reading on May 24th after the implementation of closure at second reading, the Committee of the Whole stage and at third reading.

Emergency Debate

An emergency debate occurred on Wednesday, May 24th to discuss the measures being taken to prevent harm to the public health care system from an illegal strike of 10,000 health care workers. Speaker Ken Kowalski ruled that the request by the Leader of the Official Opposition, Nancy MacBeth, was in order as the issue was an urgent matter and there would be no other opportunity for the subject to be debated. Although objection was taken, a sufficient number of Members stood to support the debate proceeding. The Standing Orders require that if 15 Members agree, the debate proceeds. The ordinary business for the afternoon was set aside for the emergency debate and, as prescribed by the Standing Orders, concluded without the Assembly deciding on the matter.

By-Election

A by-election took place in the constituency of Edmonton-Highlands on June

12, 2000 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of New Democrat leader, Pam Barrett on February 2nd. New Democrat...