Alberta Minute: Leadership Review, Gender Legislation, and a Carbon Tax Challenge

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

This Week In Alberta:

• Premier Danielle Smith is initiating a legal challenge against Ottawa's federal carbon tax, seeking an exemption for Alberta and labeling the tax as unconstitutional. Alberta will be arguing that the carbon tax disproportionately affects provinces that rely on natural gas for heating, especially given the recent exemption granted to heating oil users in Atlantic Canada. Justice Minister Mickey Amery echoed this, stating that creating regional exemptions is unfair to other provinces.
  
  
• The Alberta government is investing nearly $4.9 million in dual credit grants for high school students in the 2024-25 school year. This funding will support 55 new and 22 expanded dual credit programs across 58 school authorities, allowing students to earn both high school and post-secondary credits. The programs aim to prepare students for careers in fields such as skilled trades, agriculture, and healthcare. Dual credit options are available to students across public, separate, francophone, charter, First Nations, and independent schools.
  
  
• The Select Special Ethics Commissioner and Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee is recommending Gordon McClure as Alberta's next Chief Electoral Officer. McClure has held roles such as Appeals Coordinator and Chair of the Public Lands Appeal Board. He also holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Victoria. As Chief Electoral Officer, he would oversee duties under Alberta's Election Act, Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act, and Senatorial Selection Act. The recommendation will be presented to the Legislative Assembly for final approval in the coming days.

Last Week In Alberta:

• Premier Danielle Smith received strong support in her first leadership review at the UCP’s annual general meeting, with 91.5% of party members saying they approved of her leadership. This year’s AGM in Red Deer saw over 6,000 attendees, one of the largest political gatherings in Canadian history. Smith highlighted her commitment to freedom and conservative-oriented values, and focused on unity within the party.
  
  
• The Province introduced legislation requiring parental consent for children under 16 to change names or pronouns at school and introduced an opt-in requirement for learning about sexual and gender identity. The Health Statutes Amendment Act would restrict puberty blockers and hormone therapies for minors, and prohibit certain surgeries, while the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act limits athletes to leagues matching their birth sex unless leagues are co-ed.
  
  
• The Alberta government has introduced proposed changes to childcare legislation that would empower the childcare licensing team to issue penalties for providers failing to meet safety standards, aligning Alberta’s regulations with other Canadian provinces. The legislation would provide access to compliance records and the certification status of educators. To minimize family disruption, the amendments would allow the Province to close only parts of non-compliant programs instead of entire facilities.

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