News Release
Concluding a successful spring session
This spring session, Alberta’s government delivered a suite of legislation to meet the challenges of today while building a brighter tomorrow.
This session, Alberta’s government delivered made-in-Alberta solutions to help Albertans thrive in a rapidly changing world, ensuring Alberta remains the best place to live, work and raise a family. In addition to the work in the assembly, this session saw the government advocate fiercely for a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada, build and strengthen relationships with trade partners, and defend Alberta’s economy and Albertan jobs.
In the face of global trade tensions and market uncertainty, the rising cost of living remains one of the largest challenges facing Albertans. This spring, Alberta’s government took action to ease that burden. Budget 2025 delivered the promised income tax cut, saving families up to $1,500 per year. The Automobile Insurance Act was passed to enable better, faster, cheaper auto insurance for Albertans, and we passed legislation to expand energy options by enabling hydrogen blending and making critical reforms to ensure Albertans have access to affordable, reliable utilities when they need them most.
“Every piece of legislation our government brought forward this session was driven by one goal: to make life better for Albertans. I’m proud to be part of a team that meets the challenges Albertans are facing today and positions our province for long-term success.”
Joseph Schow, Government House Leader and Minister of Tourism and Sport
Alberta’s government also passed legislation to deliver on its mandate to restore health and safety for families and communities. The Compassionate Intervention Act introduced a new approach to addressing the addiction crisis, adding another tool to the Alberta Recovery Model and giving Albertans struggling with severe addiction the opportunity to rebuild their lives and reconnect with their family, community and culture. Legislation was also passed that implements lessons learned during previous emergency responses and empowers municipalities through expanded options for local policing.
This session Alberta’s government passed 19 bills, fulfilled multiple platform commitments and delivered on the strong mandate received from Albertans two years ago.
Other highlights
The Agricultural Operation Practices Amendment Act provides clarity for the emerging biogas industry, spurring job-creating investment in rural Alberta.
The Critical Infrastructure Defence Amendment Act protects essential infrastructure and supports the government’s work under the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act.
The Education Amendment Act reflects changes in the education landscape, strengthening democratic accountability in school boards, and increasing clarity and efficiency in the teacher discipline process.
The Election Statutes Amendment Act protects democracy, delivers fair and open elections and restores confidence in every vote cast.
The Health Statutes Amendment Act continues the work to refocus the healthcare system, ensuring patients receive the care they need, when and where they need it.
The Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act strengthens local governance and collaboration, streamlines processes and bolsters protections for new home builders and buyers.
The Professional Governance Act ensures Alberta has a modern, uniform governance framework for professional regulatory organizations.
The Wildlife Amendment Act aligns the Wildlife Act with current knowledge and best practices, supporting enhanced opportunities for hunting and trapping, reducing human-wildlife conflicts and streamlining enforcement approaches.
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News Release
UCP Prioritizes Antidemocratic Agenda Over Albertans’ Needs in Spring Session
EDMONTON – Alberta’s New Democrats are holding the UCP accountable for an antidemocratic legislative session.
“The UCP wasted this session on their own political gain, not on the real issues that matter to Albertans,” said Christina Gray, Leader of the Official Opposition of Alberta. “Instead of addressing the rising cost of living or the crisis in our health care system, they pushed through antidemocratic legislation, dodged accountability, stifled debate, and covered up their own corruption. They had every opportunity to pass bills that would help Albertans but chose
partisan games instead.”
Alberta’s New Democrats brought forward practical solutions to help with the affordability crisis—like Bill 210, which would protect workers’ tips—but the UCP voted it down, despite seven other provinces already
having similar legislation.
“The UCP shut down opportunities to deliver real relief to Albertans and instead used their power to undermine democracy,” said Gray. “Not only did they pass antidemocratic legislation like Bill 54, but they
used antidemocratic tactics in the legislature to get it done.
“Throughout this session, the UCP abused their power through time allocation motions — motions that cut off debate and allowed them to ram through controversial legislation with minimal scrutiny or public
awareness. They did this an unprecedented number of times.”
Since Alberta’s Legislature began using time allocation in 1937, there have been 142 such motions. The UCP alone has introduced 71 of them since 2019—31 in just this session—meaning half of all time allocation
motions in Alberta’s history have come from this government alone.
“This government’s anti-democratic agenda goes beyond legislation and procedural tactics,” said Gray. “They’ve shown no interest in working across the aisle for the benefit of Albertans.”
Since taking office, the UCP has refused to pass a single Private Members’ Bill from the Opposition, while they’ve passed every Private Members’ Bill brought forward by a UCP MLA.
“Under the Alberta New Democrat government, Private Members’ Bills were passed from across the political spectrum,” said Gray.
“This session, the UCP voted against transparency and voted against affordability. They refused to take any accountability in the Legislature,” added Gray.
“The story of CorruptCare saw the UCP choose to vote for a cover-up over a public inquiry. They even lost a cabinet minister over the scandal for speaking out against the corruption.
“The UCP also introduced a budget that did nothing for Albertans. It cut critical services and failed to plan for any of the challenges ahead for our province. The Premier lost a caucus member over it.
“Albertans deserve a government that respects democracy and actually works to solve the problems people face every day. That’s what Alberta’s New Democrats are fighting for—and what we’re committed to delivering.”
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Pinoy Edmonton News 