COVID-19 on the agenda as fall Alberta legislature sitting set to begin

The fall sitting of the Alberta legislature begins today, and the government says jobs, diversifying the economy and fighting COVID-19 will be the focus.

In a news conference Monday, United Conservative government House leader Jason Nixon said government plans to introduce 18 to 20 bills during the sitting, which is scheduled to run until the first week of December.

"I will be putting forward a very robust legislative agenda inside the legislature, and we will be going very quickly, round the clock, morning, noon and night to be able to fulfil that agenda for Albertans," Nixon said at a news conference Monday. 

"I intend to pass all of this before we go home for Christmas."  

Premier Jason Kenney will introduce legislation Monday to recognize professional credentials in order to address labour shortages.

Other bills include legislation to guide how capital projects such as hospitals and schools are prioritized. The legislation will bring increased transparency to infrastructure spending, Nixon said. 

The third bill set to be introduced this sitting, the Advanced Education Statutes Amendments Act, will focus on building skills for jobs and removing red tape, Nixon said.

Amendments aimed at giving the province more powers to collect overdue taxes from oil and gas sites are also coming, Nixon said. 

There are no COVID-19 specific bills, but Nixon said the government will continue to fight the pandemic's fourth wave and pass legislation if necessary.

The Opposition NDP has called for an all-party inquiry into the government's handling of the pandemic, with the power to compel documents and testimony.

NDP House leader Christina Gray has said the government needs to be held accountable for allowing a renewed surge of cases.

Nixon said now is not the time for an investigative review. He said the NDP's call for a review is premature, politically-motivated and "completely inappropriate." 

"I continue to call on the NDP not to focus on their political gain and their political ambition during what is a crisis inside our province," Nixon said.

"What we will be doing is we will be having a robust COVID debate inside the chamber."

Nixon said a "robust review" of Alberta's pandemic response will take place after the province is "outside of a crisis situation."

Referendum results Tuesday

Referendum results from Alberta's Oct. 18 municipal elections are expected by Tuesday, and the issues reflected on the ballot will soon make their way into the legislative agenda. 

A debate in the legislature on equalization is expected by the end of the week, Nixon said.

The question asked voters whether they support removing a clause from the Constitution that commits the federal government to transferring federal tax dollars between provinces to ensure equivalent public services are available across Canada.

If the official results show a majority "yes" vote, the Kenney government will introduce a motion in the legislature to ratify the request for a constitutional amendment. Then, the province would seek negotiations with the federal government.

Nixon said the province is eager to "send a clear message to Ottawa." 

Alberta voters were also asked whether the province should move permanently to year-round daylight saving time, which is summer hours, eliminating the need to change clocks twice a year.

And Albertans voted to select up to three individuals they would like the provincial government to put forward to the federal government if there is a vacancy relating to Alberta.

Alberta's Senate picks will likely be up for debate by early next week, Nixon said.

Elections Alberta will publish the official results for the two referendum questions and the Senate nominee vote at 11 a.m. Tuesday.