Here is what you can expect when the Alberta legislature sits for a new session on Tuesday. Joseph Schow, minister of jobs and Government House Leader, said there could be more than a dozen bills put forth by the United Conservative Party (UCP) government this fall. “We have heard loud and clear that Albertans want a government focused on building a strong economy,” Schow said. “Albertans also want their government to focus on healthcare, affordability, and education, all issues that will be reflected in our legislative agenda beginning next week.” While early, unofficial results from Elections Alberta results showed slim margins of support for the immigration-related referendum questions, Schow said there will not be any immigration legislation coming forth from the UCP this session. “We expect to have some results in mapping around economic migration as early as next spring as we work closely with our federal counterparts and provincial colleagues,” he added. The bills Regarding health care, Schow said legislation will include updates to the Compassionate Intervention Act in preparation to launch the program in 2027. Changes are also coming to schools via new standards for report cards and increased “provincial oversight” and “transparency,” Schow said. And, the province will look to increase its oversight of childcare facilities, which Schow said will include new parental notification requirements for “incidents.” Touching on affordability, Schow said legislation can be expected on auto insurance, data centres and utility bills, as well as consumer protection for vehicle purchases and ticket resales. “We will also increase confidence in public sector hiring by ensuring decisions are merit-based,” Schow said. The minister did not have details on what “public sector hiring” legislation would entail, saying only that it would legislate “neutrality based on merit, competence and fairness.” Other prospective bills will increase punishments for illegal dumping, unsafe driving and the use of fake intimate images. “A changing world comes with new risks, which is why we are protecting Albertans from non-consensual distribution or threat of distribution of digitally altered intimate content,” Schow said. “We are also updating language related to child sexual exploitation to ensure legislation reflects the risks of today. Each of these initiatives I’ve laid out are addressing some of the very real concerns that we have heard from Albertans, Legislation touching on municipal infrastructure, including bike lanes, can also be expected. NDP response Christina Gray, Alberta NDP house leader said her party will also be heading to the legislature focused on affordability, health care, education and jobs. “We are bringing forward a legislative agenda that will include private members’ bills and motions that are going to reflect real action that could be taken on affordability, on healthcare concerns,” Gray said. Gray accused the UCP of wasting hundreds of millions on the referendum process and said the incoming legislation does not appear to address emergency room wait times or increasingly complex classrooms. “I’ve had the opportunity to talk to a lot of teachers and families over the summer, and making sure that there’s enough supports for children who have speech language challenges absolutely came up for me,” Gray said. “Overcrowded classrooms came up for me. Transparency on report cards? I have not heard that as a concern. “Parents are worried that their kids are maybe being left behind because of how complex classrooms are getting, and teachers not having enough supports,” she added. “That’s what we need a government to have action on.” Gray said the Alberta NDP are also concerned over plans to redraw electoral boundaries ahead of the 2027 election. “We in the NDP have been concerned about that aspect since they rejected a clear majority report that was built through consensus and built through consultation with Albertans. And now we get to see what the UCP wants to do when it comes to politicians picking their voters,” she said. The UCP decided to author its own minority report after recommendations were made by a bipartisan commission earlier this year. Schow said he does not know when Albertans will see that report or when new electoral boundaries would be revealed. “I haven’t seen it myself, but I understand that the committee has received it, and we’ll wait and see,” Schow said.
