What to Expect
The Premier’s leadership may take a back seat in the political news cycle this week as the federal government announces its environmental plan. Likely to cause friction between Ottawa and Alberta, the UCP government will look to try to tarnish the Official Opposition with the NDP/Liberal partnership in Ottawa. Adding to the friction will be yesterday’s call from the province to the feds asking them to refrain from increasing the carbon tax on April 1 so as to reduce pressure on consumers.
The Week That Was
The province has introduced Bill 9: The Public’s Right to Knowact which, if passed, would require the annual reporting of crime data to ensure crime data statistics and the justice system are transparent.
Alberta is providing the province with $30 million over the course of a three-year period to support truck driver training and the Driving Back to Work program, which is intended to encourage more women to enter the industry and for both online and simulator training.
The Alberta government is taking action to urge the federal government to refrain from collecting carbon tax on April 1, 2022. The provincial government has taken action to provide relief to Albertans, including stopping the collection of provincial fuel tax, providing families with $150 electricity rebates, and capping the price of natural gas to protect consumers.
Along with Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Ontario, Alberta announced a strategic plan on small modular reactors (SMRs). The report identifies five key priority areas for SMRdevelopment and deployment:
Positioning Canada as an exporter of global SMR technology by propelling three separate streams of SMR development, covering both on-grid and off-grid applications.
Promoting a strong nuclear regulatory framework that focuses on the health and safety of the public and the environment while ensuring reasonable costs and timelines.
Securing federal government commitments on financial and policy support for new SMR technologies that would lead to vast economic benefits across the country and help meet our emissions reduction targets.
Creating opportunities for participation from Indigenous communities and public engagement.
Working with the federal government and nuclear operators on a robust nuclear waste management plan for SMRs.
The Government of Alberta removed two municipalities from the Calgary Metropolitan Regional Board. The Town of Strathmore and Wheatland County will no longer be members due to their distance from Calgary and the cost of membership.
Bill 11 will lay the groundwork for an overhaul of the continuing care system, including streamlined legislation, wider licensing requirements and regulation-making authority to shape the system for years to come.
