Alberta Minute: Rights Expansion, Police Commissions, and Municipal Tax Collection

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

This Week In Alberta:

• Premier Danielle Smith plans to amend the Province's Bill of Rights to expand and assert the rights of Albertans. The changes would protect Albertans' ability to make medical decisions (including whether or not to get vaccinations), reinforce the right to legally acquire and use firearms, and ensure that property rights are respected.
  
  
• Starting next year, two new mobile units will provide lung screening services to rural and remote communities in Alberta, supported by a $1.5 million investment from the provincial government and a matching contribution from the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Early detection of lung cancer and other lung diseases is critical for successful treatment, as many cases are typically diagnosed at later, less treatable stages. The mobile units will conduct pulmonary function tests and CT scans, with results available instantly to medical professionals via integrated technology. More than 4,000 pulmonary function tests and up to 6,000 CT scans are expected to be completed annually once operational.
  
  
• Premier Danielle Smith is floating the idea of the provincial government collecting taxes on behalf of municipalities to see if there would be interest from municipalities. She brought the idea up while she was on stage at the recent Alberta Municipalities Convention, and highlighted the inefficiency of having 320 separate tax departments across municipalities. Smith suggested this idea could reduce the financial burden on local governments, allowing them to focus on more meaningful programs for residents.

Last Week In Alberta:

• The Alberta government has mandated that RCMP detachments serving over 15,000 residents establish Police Commissions to enhance local oversight and accountability in policing. This initiative, part of recent legislative changes, aims to ensure that community-specific safety priorities are addressed through civilian governance bodies. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis emphasized that these Commissions will hold officers accountable for their actions and help align policing efforts with community needs. Smaller communities with populations between 5,000 and 15,000 will form regional policing committees, while those with fewer than 5,000 will be represented by the Provincial Police Advisory Board. The new regulations are set to take effect on March 1st, 2025.
  
  
• The Alberta government has selected the Ghost River location for its Bow River Reservoir project, a decision praised by local park advocates and Cochrane's Mayor. This choice aims to prevent flooding and secure water resources without harming Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park and Haskayne Legacy Park, which would have been at risk if the alternative option, Glenbow East, had been pursued. Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz highlighted that the relocated Ghost Dam option offers lower costs, reduced environmental impact, and effective flood and drought mitigation. Advocates expressed relief, noting the importance of preserving the parks and the safety of Cochrane’s infrastructure. The project will proceed to the engineering and regulatory approval phase starting in 2025.
  
  
• Alberta's tourism sector experienced a resurgence in 2023, with visitors spending a record $12.7 billion, significantly surpassing the previous year's $10.7 billion. International visitors contributed $2.9 billion, marking an increase beyond pre-pandemic levels. Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport, highlighted the government's ambitious goal to grow the visitor economy to $25 billion annually by 2035 through a newly launched tourism strategy.

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