The UCP's Bill 6 — the Police Amendment Act to make law enforcement more accountable — passed third reading and gained royal assent..The Alberta government said the purpose of Bill 6 is to ensure police are more accountable and more responsive to the communities they serve..“Police should have a strong connection to their community, functioning as a police service that's an extension of the people it serves rather than a strong arm of the government,” said Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis..“This first major update to the Police Act in generations is a blueprint for building police services in Alberta that embody that principle, with reforms that strengthen accountability, give communities more input and promote diversity.".Shortly after the third reading was passed, the lieutenant governor attended the Assembly. Bill 6, along with other bills, passed the third reading and then gained royal assent.."May it please Her Honour, the Legislative Assembly has at its present sitting passed certain bills to which and in the name of the Legislative Assembly I respectfully request Your Honour’s assent," the acting speaker of the house said..The following bills then gained royal assent:.1 Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act.2 Inflation Relief Statutes Amendment Act, 2022.3 Property Rights Statutes Amendment Act, 2022.4 Alberta Health Care Insurance Amendment Act, 2022.5 Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2022.6 Police Amendment Act, 2022.7 Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2022.The lieutenant governor then indicated her assent and wished members of the Legislature a Merry Christmas.."Please, when you return to your constituencies, thank all the community leaders and the volunteers who keep moving our province forward with all that they do," Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani said.."I hope each one of you is going to enjoy some well-deserved time, warm time, peaceful time, with your family and loved ones. Please convey to them as well my best wishes for the holiday season."."If the assembly would indulge me for a moment, I’d like to take a minute and thank all the members for their participation this fall session at the legislature," UCP Government House Leader Joseph Schow said.."I believe we had a lot of good work done on behalf of Albertans, and Albertans are well represented in this chamber, on both sides of the aisle. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and a Merry Christmas. I’d like to advise the Assembly that pursuant to Government Motion 4 the business of the 2022 fall sitting is now concluded.".Alberta's NDP claims Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP ended the fall session of the legislature early after cutting off debate on their job-killing Sovereignty Act, and blocking bids by the Alberta NDP to repair public healthcare and freeze auto insurance premiums..“The Sovereignty Act that Danielle Smith presented to Albertans was an outrageous attack on democracy,” said NDP House Leader Christina Gray..“Not only did Smith try to give herself the power to govern by decree, she spent several days lying to Albertans about what was in her eight-page bill. Make no mistake: the job-killing Sovereignty Act, passed into law yesterday, is profoundly destabilizing to Alberta’s economy.”
