Alberta Minute: Collegiate Programs, Reservist Leave, and Regulating Online Gambling

Alberta Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Alberta politics.

This Week In Alberta:

• Can you believe it’s the end of March already? We don't often explicitly ask for donations in these emails, but as we approach the end of the month, we need your help to reach our $20,000 fundraising goal. With the election heating up, your contribution will ensure we can keep advocating for Alberta, no matter the outcome. If you appreciate our efforts, please consider donating today. Thank you for your support!
  
  
• Alberta plans to invest $100 million over three years in collegiate and dual-credit programs to enhance career education. This funding will include $21 million for school boards to upgrade learning spaces, such as science labs and workshops, and $4.6 million for new or improved dual-credit programs in the 2025-2026 school year. Dual-credit programs allow high school students to earn both high school and post-secondary credits, while collegiate programs offer specialized career pathways in partnership with post-secondary institutions.
  
  
• The Province is preparing to regulate online gambling by opening the market to private companies like Bet365 through the proposed iGaming Alberta Act. This legislation aims to create a new Crown corporation to oversee the market and bring more players into a legal system while offering consumer protections. The goal is to prevent gambling revenue from going to offshore sites, like those in the "grey" market, and ensure safer gambling practices. The initiative draws inspiration from Ontario's successful regulated gambling model but has raised concerns about potential impacts on local charities and traditional casinos.

Last Week In Alberta:

• The Alberta government has introduced a temporary regulation granting job-protected leave to Canadian Armed Forces reservists based in the province, allowing them to fulfill their duties during the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis this June. The leave, effective from March 31st to August 31st, 2025, covers operations related to the summit, including pre- and post-deployment responsibilities. This opportunity marks the first time Alberta will host the G7 Summit since 2002. Meanwhile, the RCMP will lead security operations for the event, managing restricted areas and coordinating safety measures with international partners. Several trails and day-use areas will be closed or limited during the summit, and temporary airspace restrictions will be enforced.
  
  
• Bill 47, the Automobile Insurance Act, has been introduced, aiming to implement a "care-first" model for auto insurance. This model, inspired by Manitoba’s system, limits the ability to sue after a collision to keep premiums lower, while still providing access to medical, rehabilitation, income support, and permanent impairment benefits regardless of fault. The government expects this system to reduce premiums by about 20% or $400 annually.
  
  
• The Province announced the formation of a working group to address the challenge of unpaid oil and gas property taxes, responding to concerns from the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) and Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis). As of December 31st, 2024, oil and gas companies owed over $253.9 million in unpaid taxes, creating financial strain for rural municipalities. The group will focus on strategies to recover these taxes, including closing loopholes and improving communication between the energy sector, municipalities, and the government. Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver emphasized the government's commitment to holding delinquent companies accountable.

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