Alberta Minute: Provincial Police, Conduct Codes, and Acute Care Funding

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

This Week In Alberta:

• The Alberta government is moving to eliminate mandatory municipal Codes of Conduct, arguing they have been misused by Councillors to target their colleagues. Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver described the codes as being “weaponized” in internal political disputes, creating dysfunction in councils. Under Bill 50, existing conduct complaints not already before the courts would be dropped, and a consultation process will begin to explore alternatives. McIver suggested a provincial Ethics Commissioner could oversee future conduct issues to ensure fairness.
  
  
• The Province is launching a new acute care funding model that shifts to activity-based funding, aiming to increase surgical volumes and reduce wait times by rewarding facilities based on performance. Premier Danielle Smith says the change will encourage competition and efficiency among hospitals, including public and private providers. The newly created Acute Care Alberta will oversee the system, with Alberta Health Services now acting as just one of several service providers.
  
  
• Alberta is moving forward with legislation to allow hydrogen blending into natural gas for home and business heating, aiming to reduce emissions as part of its 2021 Hydrogen Roadmap. The proposed blend would include up to 5% hydrogen, with community consultation required before implementation. A pilot project in Fort Saskatchewan is already supplying blended gas to over 2,000 homes, while plans for a pure hydrogen community are being explored.

Last Week In Alberta:

• Alberta has introduced Bill 49, proposing a new independent provincial police agency that municipalities can choose to adopt instead of the RCMP. The agency would function as a Crown corporation with its own officers and governance board, aiming to boost local law enforcement capacity and reduce political interference. The plan includes transitioning Alberta Sheriffs into the new agency using existing resources, avoiding new costs. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis cited long-standing issues with RCMP response times and staffing, especially in rural areas, as the reason to pursue the option. Under the plan, the RCMP would remain the default service, but municipalities could choose to switch if they prefer.
  
  
• Speaking at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Ottawa, Premier Danielle Smith warned that a Liberal election win could deepen tensions with Alberta unless serious concerns are addressed. She said Mark Carney, if elected Prime Minister, would need to repair the strained relationship with her province within six months to avoid what she called a potential national unity crisis. Smith emphasized that many Albertans are disillusioned with the Liberal government, citing frustrations over pipeline access, environmental regulations, and a lack of respect for Alberta’s role in Confederation.
  
  
• As Alberta enters wildfire season, the Province has promised $900,000 to improve its early-warning systems by upgrading 150 weather stations. These stations track key environmental factors like wind, humidity, and snowpack to help predict fire risks and guide firefighting efforts. While wildfire activity is lower than last year - 65 fires compared to 115 at this time in 2024 - officials remain vigilant. The season began March 1st, but the most dangerous period typically starts in May. Forestry Minister Todd Loewen emphasized the importance of preparation, acknowledging that wildfires are unavoidable.

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