UCP priorities outlined in the Speech from the Throne Tuesday include the usual; creating jobs, attracting investment, but also taking greater provincial autonomy and laying down the law.
During the 2019 election, now-premier Jason Kenney promised to start an immigration program where the province could attract people with certain skill sets. The new “Alberta Advantage Immigration Program will attract entrepreneurs to start new businesses and invest here”.
Additionally, Alberta will be cancelling its contracts with the federal government for the parole board and creating a provincial board.
Several new bills are expected to be introduced this session including a citizen’s initiative law that will allow residents to force a referendum on issues they find important “such as a carbon tax”. Recall legislation will also be introduced and will be applicable to MLAs, mayors, municipal councillors and school board trustees in between election periods.
The law will be getting tighter for protesters with the government’s first Bill of the session, the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act.
“The right to protest does not include being able to prevent your neighbours from getting to work and putting food on the table, or threatening their security. Albertans expect their government to deal with lawlessness and stand up for the values that all law-abiding citizens share,” Kenney said.
“Albertans respect freedom of speech and association, including the right to protest (but) there is no right to dangerously and illegally block roads and railways.”
The Act will designate railways, roads and pipelines as critical infrastructure and broaden enforcement against trespass or interference with operations or construction of designated infrastructure.
“Our government will not stand idly by and allow Alberta to be an economic hostage to illegal activity now or ever,” said Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer.
“The Critical Infrastructure Defence Act will help protect our way of life by ensuring the rule of law is upheld and the infrastructure that is critical to our province’s economy can continue to operate.”
Deirdre is a Senior Reporter with Western Standard
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