Alberta Minute: Injunction Granted, Peace Officers, and the Spring Legislative Session

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

This Week In Alberta:

• The Spring Legislative session will begin this week, with afternoon sittings taking place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The Alberta government will release Budget 2025 on February 27th. Finance Minister Nate Horner emphasized the Province's challenges, including trade disputes, fluctuating oil prices, and increased demand for services. Stay tuned for our analysis!
  
  
• Alberta will host three international sporting events and two national championships over the next two months, supported by more than $440,000 in provincial funding. The events include the International Ski Federation Snowboard Slopestyle and Halfpipe World Cups in Calgary, as well as the 2025 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals in Canmore, which is expected to generate $4.6 million for the economy. The province's Major Sport Event grant program provides financial support for hosting costs, including venue rentals and marketing. Minister of Tourism and Sport Joseph Schow highlighted Alberta's growing reputation as a top destination for sports tourism.
  
  
• Seven Alberta hunting licences recently auctioned in Utah are providing the Province with $356,000, bringing the total for 2025 special hunting licenses to $923,000. The most expensive item at the Utah auction was the mule deer licence, selling for $70,000 USD, while the lowest bid was for a turkey licence at $4,500 USD. An additional bighorn sheep licence sold separately for a record $400,000 USD. The proceeds will support conservation projects through the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society, which distributes grants for habitat enhancement, wildlife studies, and disease management.

Last Week In Alberta:

• A group of parents suing the Alberta government over the impact of the CUPE strike on students with disabilities has secured an injunction. The court order halts a ministerial directive allowing Edmonton Public Schools to shift complex-needs students to at-home learning. The parents argued that the policy disproportionately harmed children with disabilities, violating their Charter rights, and Justice Anna Loparco agreed that the order created an unjust distinction. The ruling requires Alberta Education to revise its approach to ensure more equitable access to in-person learning. While the legal battle continues, the government now has a week to develop a fairer plan, though the ongoing strike remains unresolved.
  
  
• The Alberta government has asked municipalities to temporarily place community peace officers under police leadership to better tackle fentanyl trafficking and social disorder. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis made this request to improve coordination between municipal governments, police, and the province in response to the growing fentanyl crisis. While Edmonton's Mayor Amarjeet Sohi expressed support for the initiative, some local leaders and union representatives raised concerns about police control over peace officer operations.
  
  
• Premier Danielle Smith has replaced the Deputy Health Minister amid allegations of government interference in healthcare contracts. The claims, stemming from a lawsuit by the former CEO of AHS, suggest government officials pressured her to approve overpriced contracts for private surgical facilities. Smith denied wrongdoing and instead criticized Alberta Health Services for obstructing the government’s push for private surgical expansion. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange vowed to defend against the lawsuit while maintaining that procurement concerns warrant further investigation. Alberta’s Auditor General is also reviewing the contracting process.

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