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Fall Sitting

Legislature returns for fall session Tuesday

Oct 7, 2019 | 12:35 PM

EDMONTON, AB — The United Conservative Party is reconvening on Tuesday, and say they plan another productive session at the legislature.

House Leader Jason Nixon spoke to media in Edmonton on Monday, saying his government expects to table between 14 and 17 bills during the session, in addition to its first provincial budget.

“Each of the bills is designed to enhance freedom, and improve the quality of life for Albertans, and bring the province back to fiscal balance after four years of reckless NDP spending,” Said Nixon. “Our children, and theirs, will thank us for taking the steps necessary to get our fiscal house in order, restore the province’s former triple-A credit rating, and reassure job creators and investors that the province is open for business again.”

The spring sitting of the legislature saw the government table and pass 13 bills.

Nixon outlined several of the bills that would be tabled this session, including establishing the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation. The proposed bill would give Indigenous Albertans the ability to partner in natural resource projects.

The province will also be tabling a bill to create the Technology, Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program, which would replace the scrapped provincial carbon tax if passed. Nixon says the proposed legislation would focus on reducing emissions from large emitters in the province, and estimates it will reduce emissions by approximately 40 and 45 megatons.

The province will also be tabling its version of Clare’s Law during the fall session, which would allow criminal records of potentially abusive partners to be disclosed by police. A similar law was passed in Saskatchewan this year.

The province is also expected to table updated farm safety legislation during the session.

The province’s budget will be tabled October 24, and Nixon says the goal is to bring balance to Alberta’s books.

“This may not be an entirely easy process, but Albertans have given us a clear indication that they expect us to make the tough decisions that will rebuild our province’s stalled economy, and set the stage for fiscal sustainability for generations to come,” he said.

The fall session of the legislature is scheduled to end December 5th.