Alberta Hansard — 22 February 2011, Afternoon sitting (15:00) (Legislature 27, Session 4)

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Alberta — Debates (Hansard)

Province of Alberta The 27th Legislature Fourth Session Alberta Hansard Tuesday, February 22, 2011 Issue 1 The Honourable Kenneth R. Kowalski, Speaker

Legislative Assembly of Alberta The 27th Legislature Fourth Session Kowalski, Hon. Ken, Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock, Speaker Cao, Wayne C.N., Calgary-Fort, Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees Mitzel, Len, Cypress-Medicine Hat, Deputy Chair of Committees Ady, Hon. Cindy, Calgary-Shaw (PC) Allred, Ken, St. Albert (PC) Amery, Moe, Calgary-East (PC) Anderson, Rob, Airdrie-Chestermere (WA), WA Opposition House Leader Benito, Carl, Edmonton-Mill Woods (PC) Berger, Evan, Livingstone-Macleod (PC) Bhardwaj, Naresh, Edmonton-Ellerslie (PC) Bhullar, Manmeet Singh, Calgary-Montrose (PC) Blackett, Hon.

Lindsay, Calgary-North West (PC) Blakeman, Laurie, Edmonton-Centre (AL), Official Opposition Deputy Leader, Official Opposition House Leader Boutilier, Guy C., Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo (WA) Brown, Dr. Neil, QC, Calgary-Nose Hill (PC) Calahasen, Pearl, Lesser Slave Lake (PC) Campbell, Robin, West Yellowhead (PC), Government Whip Chase, Harry B., Calgary-Varsity (AL), Official Opposition Whip Dallas, Cal, Red Deer-South (PC) Danyluk, Hon. Ray, Lac La Biche-St. Paul (PC) DeLong, Alana, Calgary-Bow (PC) Denis, Hon.

Jonathan, QC, Calgary-Egmont (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Doerksen, Arno, Strathmore-Brooks (PC), Deputy Government Whip Drysdale, Wayne, Grande Prairie-Wapiti (PC) Elniski, Doug, Edmonton-Calder (PC) Evans, Hon. Iris, Sherwood Park (PC) Fawcett, Kyle, Calgary-North Hill (PC) Forsyth, Heather, Calgary-Fish Creek (WA), WA Opposition Whip Fritz, Hon. Yvonne, Calgary-Cross (PC) Goudreau, Hon. Hector G., Dunvegan-Central Peace (PC) Griffiths, Doug, Battle River-Wainwright (PC) Groeneveld, George, Highwood (PC) Hancock, Hon. Dave, QC, Edmonton-Whitemud (PC), Government House Leader Hayden, Hon.

Jack, Drumheller-Stettler (PC) Hehr, Kent, Calgary-Buffalo (AL) Hinman, Paul, Calgary-Glenmore (WA), WA Opposition Deputy Leader Horne, Fred, Edmonton-Rutherford (PC) Horner, Doug, Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert (PC) Jablonski, Hon. Mary Anne, Red Deer-North (PC) Jacobs, Broyce, Cardston-Taber-Warner (PC) Johnson, Jeff, Athabasca-Redwater (PC) Johnston, Art, Calgary-Hays (PC) Kang, Darshan S., Calgary-McCall (AL) Klimchuk, Hon. Heather, Edmonton-Glenora (PC) Knight, Hon. Mel, Grande Prairie-Smoky (PC) Leskiw, Genia, Bonnyville-Cold Lake (PC) Liepert, Hon.

Ron, Calgary-West (PC) Lindsay, Fred, Stony Plain (PC) Lukaszuk, Hon. Thomas A., Edmonton-Castle Downs (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Lund, Ty, Rocky Mountain House (PC) MacDonald, Hugh, Edmonton-Gold Bar (AL) Marz, Richard, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills (PC) Mason, Brian, Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood (ND), Leader of the ND Opposition McFarland, Barry, Little Bow (PC) McQueen, Diana, Drayton Valley-Calmar (PC) Morton, F.L., Foothills-Rocky View (PC) Notley, Rachel, Edmonton-Strathcona (ND), ND Opposition House Leader Oberle, Hon. Frank, Peace River (PC) Olson, Hon.

Verlyn, QC, Wetaskiwin-Camrose (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Ouellette, Hon. Luke, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake (PC) P astoor, Bridget Brennan, Lethbridge-East (AL), Official Opposition Deputy Whip Prins, Ray, Lacombe-Ponoka (PC) Quest, Dave, Strathcona (PC) Redford, Alison M., QC, Calgary-Elbow (PC) Renner, Hon. Rob, Medicine Hat (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Rodney, Dave, Calgary-Lougheed (PC) Rogers, George, Leduc-Beaumont-Devon (PC) Sandhu, Peter, Edmonton-Manning (PC) Sarich, Janice, Edmonton-Decore (PC) Sherman, Dr. Raj, Edmonton-Meadowlark (Ind) Snelgrove, Hon.

Lloyd, Vermilion-Lloydminster (PC) Stelmach, Hon. Ed, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville (PC), Premier Swann, Dr. David, Calgary-Mountain View (AL), Leader of the Official Opposition Taft, Dr. Kevin, Edmonton-Riverview (AL) Tarchuk, Janis, Banff-Cochrane (PC) Taylor, Dave, Calgary-Currie (AB) VanderBurg, George, Whitecourt-Ste. Anne (PC) Vandermeer, Tony, Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview (PC) Weadick, Hon. Greg, Lethbridge-West (PC) Webber, Hon. Len, Calgary-Foothills (PC) Woo-Paw, Teresa, Calgary-Mackay (PC) Xiao, David H., Edmonton-McClung (PC) Zwozdesky, Hon.

Gene, Edmonton-Mill Creek (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Officers and Officials of the Legislative Assembly Clerk W.J. David McNeil Law Clerk/Director of Interparliamentary Relations Robert H. Reynolds, QC Senior Parliamentary Counsel/ Director of House Services Shannon Dean Manager – House Proceedings Micheline S. Gravel Parliamentary Counsel Stephanie LeBlanc Sergeant-at-Arms Brian G. Hodgson Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Chris Caughell Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Gordon H.

Munk Managing Editor of Alberta Hansard Liz Sim Party standings: Progressive Conservative: 67 Alberta Liberal: 8 Wildrose Alliance: 4 New Democrat: 2 Alberta: 1 Independent: 1

Executive Council Ed Stelmach Premier, President of Executive Council, Chair of Agenda and Priorities Committee, Vice-chair of Treasury Board, Liaison to the Canadian Armed Forces Lloyd Snelgrove President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Finance and Enterprise Dave Hancock Minister of Education, Political Minister for Edmonton Iris Evans Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations Mel Knight Minister of Sustainable Resource Development Luke Ouellette Minister of Transportation Rob Renner Minister of Environment Verlyn Olson Minister of Justice and Attorney General Yvonne Fritz Minister of Children and Youth Services, Political Minister for Calgary Jack Hayden Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Political Minister for Rural Alberta Ray Danyluk Minister of Infrastructure Gene Zwozdesky Minister of Health and Wellness Ron Liepert Minister of Energy Mary Anne Jablonski Minister of Seniors and Community Supports Len Webber Minister of Aboriginal Relations Heather Klimchuk Minister of Service Alberta Lindsay Blackett Minister of Culture and Community Spirit Cindy Ady Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation Hector Goudreau Minister of Municipal Affairs Frank Oberle Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security Jonathan Denis Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Thomas Lukaszuk Minister of Employment and Immigration Greg Weadick Minister of Advanced Education and Technology Parliamentary Assistants Evan Berger Sustainable Resource Development Manmeet Singh Bhullar Municipal Affairs Cal Dallas Finance and Enterprise Fred Horne Health and Wellness Broyce Jacobs Agriculture and Rural Development Jeff Johnson Treasury Board (Oil Sands Sustainable Development Secretariat) Diana McQueen Energy Janice Sarich Education Teresa Woo-Paw Employment and Immigration

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Chair: Ms Tarchuk Deputy Chair: Mr. Elniski Blakeman DeLong Forsyth Groeneveld Johnston MacDonald Quest Standing Committee on Community Services Chair: Mr. Doerksen Deputy Chair: Mr. Hehr Allred Anderson Benito Bhullar Chase Johnston Notley Rodney Sarich Taylor Standing Committee on the Economy Chair: Mr. Bhardwaj Deputy Chair: Mr. Chase Amery Fawcett Griffiths Hinman Lund Marz Taft Taylor Weadick Woo-Paw Standing Committee on Health Chair: Mr.

McFarland Deputy Chair: Ms Pastoor Forsyth Groeneveld Horne Lindsay Notley Olson Quest Sherman Taft Vandermeer Standing Committee on Legislative Offices Chair: Mr. Mitzel Deputy Chair: Mr. Lund Bhullar Blakeman Campbell Hinman Lindsay MacDonald Marz Notley Quest Rogers Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services Chair: Mr. Kowalski Deputy Chair: Mr. Campbell Anderson Elniski Hehr Leskiw Mason Oberle Pastoor Rogers VanderBurg Weadick Standing Committee on Private Bills Chair: Dr.

Brown Deputy Chair: Ms Woo-Paw Allred Amery Benito Bhardwaj Boutilier Calahasen Dallas Doerksen Drysdale Hinman Jacobs Kang Lindsay McQueen Olson Sandhu Sarich Taft Xiao Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Chair: Mr. Prins Deputy Chair: Mr. Hancock Amery Berger Calahasen DeLong Doerksen Forsyth Groeneveld Hinman Jacobs Leskiw Lindsay McFarland Mitzel Notley Pastoor Quest Sherman Tarchuk Taylor Standing Committee on Public Accounts Chair: Mr. MacDonald Deputy Chair: Mr.

Rodney Anderson Benito Calahasen Chase Dallas Elniski Fawcett Griffiths Groeneveld Kang Mason Olson Sandhu Vandermeer Xiao Standing Committee on Public Safety and Services Chair: Mr. Drysdale Deputy Chair: Mr. Kang Boutilier Brown Calahasen Cao Forsyth Johnson MacDonald Rogers Sandhu Xiao Standing Committee on Resources and Environment Chair: Mr. Prins Deputy Chair: Ms Blakeman Anderson Berger Boutilier Dallas Hehr Jacobs Mason McQueen Mitzel VanderBurg Select Special Ombudsman Search Committee Chair: Mr. Mitzel Deputy Chair: Mr. Lund Blakeman Hinman Lindsay Marz Notley Quest Rogers

February 22, 2011 Alberta Hansard 1 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Title: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 22, 2011 The Sergeant-at-Arms: Order! All rise, please. [The Clerk read the Royal Proclamation dated February 22, 2011, summoning the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta to convene on this date] The Clerk: Please be seated. [The Sergeant-at-Arms left the Chamber] The Sergeant-at-Arms: Order! Order! Mr.

Speaker. [Preceded by the Sergeant -at-Arms, the Speaker, accompanied by the officers of the Assembly, entered the Chamber and took the chair] head: Prayers The Speaker: Good afternoon. Welcome to the Alberta Legisla- tive Assembly. Would you all please join with me in the opening day prayer. Author of all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, we ask Your blessings on all here present. We ask Your guidance in order that truth and justice may prevail in all of our judgments for the benefit of all Albertans. Amen. I would now like to invite all to join in the singing of our na- tional anthem.

We’ll be led today by Mr. Paul Lorieau, who is in the gallery in the top to my right. Would you please all join in in the language of one’s choice. Hon. Members and Guests: O Canada, our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. The Speaker: Well, that was very well done.

Please be seated. head: Entrance of the Lieutenant Governor [The Premier, the Clerk, and the Sergeant -at-Arms left the Cha m- ber to attend the Lieutenant Governor] [The Mace was draped] The Speaker: Ladies and gentlemen and hon. members, at this moment the Premier has departed for the Lieutenant Governor’s suite to accompany the Lieutenant Governor back to the Assembly. Today I’m going to introduce you to the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, which will provide us with a musical interlude, the details of which are in your program. The RCA Band, Canada’s oldest regular army band, was formed in Quebec City in 1879.

It was subsequently stationed in Montreal and Halifax. It has seen service in both world wars and in Korea, and it has travelled extensively across Canada and beyond our borders. This band was reconstituted in Edmonton in 1997 and is today under the direction of Captain Eric Gagnon, CD, who is in the Speaker’s gallery. Maestro. [The Sergeant-at-Arms knocked on the main doors of the Cha m- ber three times. The Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms opened the doors, and the Sergeant-at-Arms entered] The Sergeant-at-Arms: Ladies and gentlemen, all rise, please. Mr.

Speaker, His Honour the Honourable the Lieutena nt Gov- ernor awaits. The Speaker: Sergeant-at-Arms, admit His Honour the Honour- able the Lieutenant Governor. [A fanfare of trumpets sounded] [Preceded by the Sergeant -at-Arms, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Colonel (Retired) Donald S. Ethell , OC, OMM, AOE, MSC, CD, LLD, and Mrs. Ethell, their party, the Premier, and the Clerk entered the Chamber. His Honour took his place upon the throne] head: Speech from the Throne His Honour: Pray be seated.

Building a Better Alberta His Honour: Hon. members and distinguished guests, welcome to the Fourth Session of the 27th Alberta Legislature. It is my honour to deliver the Speech from the Throne, as it is my honour to serve Albertans as Lieutenant Governor. This position follows a career that has taken me all over the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Central America, and the Balkans, as a soldier and proud member of the Canadian armed forces. [applause] After my military career ended, I served as a volunteer with humanitarian groups he lping refugees and children in need in Africa.

In all these posts I saw many tragedies, including hunger, di s- ease, conflict, violence, and war. I also observed the triumph of the human spirit, where people of commitment and compassion worked together to m ake their communities and their countries stronger. These experiences filled me with gratitude to live in a country and a province so blessed as Canada and Alberta are. They reaffirmed the values of citizenship and service to others, and they underscored the absolute necessity of democracy and the rule of law. This is the background I bring to the post of Lieutenant Gove r- nor.

These are the values I will work to promote through my service. And it is here in this Legislature where those values will guide the people Albertans have entrusted with public office. It is here where the people’s business is conducted. Let it be done with diligence and wisdom, with honour and respect, and with God’s guidance, for surely the times in which we live demand no less of our elected leaders. As Alberta takes its first steps from recession to recovery, fu n- damental changes are happening in the global economy.

Our province must change, too, if it is to flourish in the new economy, just as it did in the old. Albertans look to their government to lead the way, to survey the landscape of both the short term and the long term and plan accordingly, to build a better Alberta so that the province our children and grandchildren inherit is as full of opportunity for them as it has been for us. Ladies and gentlemen, your gover n- ment is committed to investing in Alberta ’s future so our great province can realize its full potential.

2 Alberta Hansard February 22, 2011 Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Global Economy As 2011 begins, the world is slowly emerging f rom the shadow of the worst recession since the Great Depression. As that event forever changed the world, so too is the recession that began in 2008 reshaping the economic landscape in which we live. Being successful in the postrecession world will mean doing things very differently from how we’ve done them in the past. The sustainability fund, money saved during good times, is helping to blunt the sharpest edges of the recession, but it won’t last forever.

We must use this opportunity to move forward and prepare for the future. The New Importance of Asia Our province has relied heavily on a single customer, the United States, which buys about 85 per cent of our province’s exports. If Alberta is to grow to its greatest potential, we need to diversify our product development through technology and take advantage of other markets. A major opportunity exists to expand trade and investment with Asia. This region is home to some of the world’s largest and most diverse markets.

Bill 1 of this legislative sessio n will be dedicated to enhancing Alberta’s linkages with Asia, including priority mar- kets such as India, China, Japan, and Korea. The Asia Advisory Council Act, if passed, will create a council that will make re c- ommendations to government on ways to expand business, education, and cultural relationships between Alberta and Asia. Western Canada has the products these markets need. The vast agricultural, mineral, forestry, and energy resources of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan will underpin Canada ’s economy in the 21st century.

It is in the national interest that western Canada has improved port capacity, whether by pipeline or rail, that will open the door to Asia’s rapidly growing markets. Also necessary is improved direct air service to these markets so that trade and investment can flourish. Investing in Infrastructure Infrastructure is a critical foundation for our province’s future. It is an economic enabler and a driver of competitiveness, and it helps support the quality of life Albertans enjoy. Albertans learned the false economy of delaying infrastructure investments in pr e- vious downturns.

When growth returned, we were unprepared, struggling to catch up and paying inflated prices. Now is the best time to invest in infrastructure. Thanks to the billions of dollars Alberta saved in the sustainability fund, instead of falling behind, we are catching up and planning ahead. We are keeping people working and making our dollars go further, but most importantly Alberta will have the facilities it needs now and when growth returns.

The government will continue to look to the 20-year strategic capital plan to build priority public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, roads, and long -term care facilities, with the goal of having the most advanced infrastructure in North America. We will build new hospitals and renovate existing health facilities in communities such as Grande Prairie, Lethbridge , Red Deer, Medicine Hat , Edson, High Prairie, Sherwood Park , and others. We will also embark upon major redevelopment and expansion of cancer care services in Calgary and Edmonton.

Your government will invest in major economic corridors such as the twinning of highway 43 near Sturgeon Lake, the ongoing twinning of highway 63, and major highway investments within Fort McMurray, and we will m ove forward with construction of the Edmonton and Calgary ring roads. Almost 90 per cent of the Edmonton ring road will be co m- pleted when the northwest

section of Anthony Henday Drive opens this fall. Five new interchanges in the southwest will r e- move all the traffic lights to make the entire stretch of the freeway free flow. Your government continues to move forward on the final phase, the northeast section, with a P3 process that will begin this year. In Calgary work continues on the southeast

section of Stoney Trail, which will open to traffic in the fall of 2013. Co m- pletion of the two interchanges on the northwest leg, which will make this

section free flow, will be done by fall 2012. Boosting Our Competitiveness Our province’s long-term prosperity dep ends on our industries being globally competitive, productive, and diverse. Alberta must make every effort to create an environment where entrepreneu r- ship, productivity, and investment thrive. Last year this Legislature passed the Alberta Competitiveness Act, creating a partnership between government and industry to help position Alberta as one of the most competitive economic jurisdictions in the world.

The resulting government- and industry- led Competitiveness Council has analyzed our province’s com- petitive strengths and weaknesses. It will report to government in the next few months with recommendations to enhance Alberta ’s ability to compete in the global marketplace. These recommend a- tions for both government and industry will be implemented in the short term, with measurable results anticipated in the next three to five years. Effective regulation of financial securities is essential to the expansion and smooth functioning of capital markets and the economy.

Canada’s passport system for securities regu lation has been rated as one of the best regulatory systems in the world by objective and independent international organizations, including the World Bank. In the interest of maintaining a system that is working well, Alberta together with Quebec, Manitob a, and Saskatchewan is challenging the unprecedented attempt by the federal government to take control of this area of provincial juri s- diction.

Having made our case before both the Alberta Court of Appeal and the Quebec Court of Appeal, Alberta will next take its challenge to the Supreme Court of Canada later this spring. We will also continue to urge the federal government to aba n- don its present course of action in favour of supporting the existing provincially administered national system. The persistent negative public comments about the passport system are unm e- rited and serve to undermine the confidence in capital markets that the federal government says it is trying to protect.

Reducing red tape is another key to improving Alberta’s compe- titiveness. While rules and regulations are required in the interest of public health, safety, and environmental protection, it is impor- tant that they not create unnecessary and costly burdens that limit the ability of business to create jobs. One area of particular concern has been the energy sector. With the help of stakeholders government has extensively reviewed the oil and gas regulatory system to create a more modern, flexible, and efficient system. Implementation of the changes identified will begin this year.

Smart regulation achieves public objectives to protect our environment and the high standards Albertans demand. It also provides clarity and predictability so business can invest and compete with confidence. Making the Most of Our Resources Being competitive also means making the most of the advantag- es we have. These include our abundant resources: energy, wood fibre, and food products grown on our rich, productive land.

February 22, 2011 Alberta Hansard 3 Renewed Confidence in Oil, Gas, and Oil Sands Changes to the royalty system have led to renewed confidence in oil and gas exploration, and for the first time in this province’s his- tory land sales exceeded $2.3 billion in a calendar year. This shows that Alberta continues to be competitive in attracting new inves t- ment. It also means new jobs for Albertans and new opportunities for industry and sends a strong signal to the world that our province is a safe, effective place to do business.

That this message has been heard is evidenced by renewed interest in Alberta, particularly in the oil sands, by a variety of international companies. Your government will continue to implement Responsible A c- tions, Alberta’s 20-year strategy for the oil sands. It will also continue to address growth pressures brought on by oil sands de- velopment and will lead the process to develop a comprehensive regional infrastructure plan for the Cold Lake oil sands area.

Adding Value to Raw Resources Your government is also taking action to ensure that Albertans receive the most benefit possible from energy development as resource owners. The bitumen royalty in kind program, for exa m- ple, will allow Alberta to seek out opportunities for adding value to bitumen here in our province. This will help diversify our econ- omy, create jobs for Albertans , and provide spinof f opportunities for businesses along the supply chain. Value-added upgrading also holds the potential to create more energy revenues for the province.

By integrating carbon capture and storage technology, carbon dioxide from upgraders can be used to revive depleting oil reservoirs. This process is called enhanced oil recovery. It is estimated that an additional 1.4 billion barrels of oil can be produced using this technology. To put it in more familiar terms, Alberta could produce more conventional oil in the future than it has already produced in the past. This could generate up to $25 billion in additional provincial royalties and taxes.

The Future of Forestry In recent years Alberta’s forest industry has felt the impact of a devastated U.S. housing market and economy. As in other sectors, the journey back to prosperity begins with diversifying both pro d- ucts and markets. Government will work with the forest industry to develop a road map to do both these things, including using wood fibre in the emerging bio -economy, especially in renewable energy and fuels. This road map will help companies make eff i- cient use of fibre and build a bridge to a more sustainable future for this renewable resource.

Government will also continue to respond aggressively to the triple forest threats of wildfire, insects, and disease. We saw some success in the war on the mountain pine beetle last year thanks to an aggressive provincial control program, with some help from Mother Nature. Agriculture and Rural Communities Alberta’s agriculture and agrifood industries are key economic drivers of our province, especially in rural communities.

Over the next two decades hundreds of millions of people in the emerging markets of China and India will rise out of poverty and demand a quality of life that comes closer to what we enjoy here in Canada. The opportunity for Alberta and its western neighbouring provinc- es to provide food will usher in a period of opportunity and rising prices for Alberta farms. Access to reliable broadband Intern et service is vital to main- taining Alberta’s competitive advantage. Government is working to complete the final mile to bring broadband access to every Alberta home.

Educating the Workforce of Tomorrow Of all Alberta’s natural resources, none is more val uable than our people. It is our ethical citizenship, engaged thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit that have made Alberta prosperous today and which are the foundation of tomorrow’s promise. These are the qualities our education system must instill in our children as they grow into young adults, enabling them and our province to reach their full potential. Alberta’s education system leads the world today, but we must not become complacent. Our system must evolve if we are to co n- tinue to be leaders tomorrow .

This means continuing to build capacity for local decision -making and fostering broader comm u- nity engagement. Your government will continue to implement a vision for an inclusive education system that supports students with special needs. We will equip the education system to offer students more flexible, engaging, and personalized learning, and we will conti n- ue to build the teaching profession: recruiting, preparing, and supporting the best and the brightest in becoming and remaining teachers.

Becoming a Hub of Creative Thinking Through Campus Alberta and Alberta Innovates we will contin- ue to show the world how our province is becoming a hub of creative thinking, where innovation turns ideas into reality and where research moves from the lab to the mark etplace.

We will continue to beckon the world’s best researchers, innovators, entre- preneurs, and investors to join us in areas of strength such as energy and the environment, biotechnology and bio-industries, and health research, and we will continue to fo ster ever-stronger global partnerships to build new markets for traditional and emerging sectors as well as innovations not yet imagined. Investing in Our Workforce To build a strong future, Alberta needs a skilled workforce.

While unemployment remains an issue for thousands of Albertans, we know that in the future it will become increasingly difficult to find skilled people. Demographic change means that we will soon see more work- ers retiring than entering the workforce. Given the growing demand for workers and the limited available supply we expect that Alberta will be short 77,000 workers over the coming decade. To help prepare for this situation, government will update the 2006 Building and Educa ting Tomorrow’s Workforce strategy to adjust to current labour market needs.

An important component of this strategy will continue to be ensuring jobs for Albertans before looking beyond our borders. Mature workers who choose to stay in the workforce must be supported, and groups that are underrepr e- sented in the workforce such as aboriginal Albertans, people with disabilities, immigrants, and young people must be given every opportunity to contribute their skills and help our province grow. Alberta workplaces are even more productive when they are safe.

Work on government’s 10-point plan on occupational health and safety will continue, with additional efforts in transparency, education, and enforcement. Alberta ’s workplace injury rate has been declining steadily for nearly 20 years, but there is still room to improve. We want all Albertans to come home safely from work every day.

4 Alberta Hansard February 22, 2011 Balancing Development and Conservation Albertans know that economic development and environmental protection are not a t rade-off. We can and must have both. And just as we plan for economic development, we must also plan for a healthy environment. No longer can we look at single elements of the landscape in isolation. We must recognize the cumulative impact of all devel- opment within a region, and we are working to ensure these activities are being co -ordinated to have the least impact on our land, air, and water and all the species that use them.

Similarly, we recognize and value the long -standing rights of landowners, who have been forces for both economic develo p- ment and ecosystem conservation in our province. Partnership with landowners is critical to our success. Good planning will provide for responsible growth in our prov- ince, especially where there are competing int erests on a finite land base. That’s why your government has created the land-use framework. It is not intended to stop growth but to provide for co- ordinated planning and protect the environment.

Planning for a Healthy Environment Alberta also continues to develop regional plans based on our prov- ince’s watersheds to manage growing economic, environmental, residential, and recreational demands on our province’s land base. This year, after further consultation, we expect to complete the first regional plan for the lower Athabasca area in northeast Alberta, which includes the oil sands. Among its objectives the plan will identify conservation areas, required in part to support a new policy to manage recovery and stabilization of woodland caribou.

Government is taking steps to ensure that legislation to support the development of regional plans fully respects landowner rights. World-class Monitoring of the Oil Sands Alberta’s oil sands continue to be a topic of global conversation. Your government is working to share information about our clean energy efforts with our neighbours across Canada and around the world. We are changing perceptions of how we are managing one of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, and we remain commi t- ted to demonstrating that Al berta is a leader in responsible energy production and environmental stewardship.

Alberta has created a panel of respected experts to make rec- ommendations for developing a world-class monitoring, evaluation, and reporting system for all environmental medi a, including air, land, water, and biodiversity. The panel will report back to government by June 2011 with recommendations for a system Albertans can proudly hold up to international scrutiny.

Your government has built the foundation for this system with a transition over the past several years to cumulative effects man- agement, which moves beyond examining developments on a project-by-project basis to look at the combined impacts of both existing and planned development on an entire region. The oil sands area will serve as a pilot for the new monitoring system. We know our monitoring efforts must be robust, transpa- rent, and adaptable. Most of all, they must be credible. Building a reliable system for the future requires third -party review, valid a- tion, and involvement.

It’s what Albertans expect and what we intend to deliver. Watching Our Water Use Water is a precious resource that belongs to all Albertans. As our economy and population grow, Albertans will need a long - term plan to ensure wise use and conservation of water. A groundwater mapping and inventory program is currently under way in partnership with the Alberta Geological Survey. We are also working with land-use planners, watershed councils, and stewardship groups to share knowledge, enhance r esource protec- tion, and improve groundwater management.

Climate Change and Clean Energy Technology Alberta is seizing the opportunity to be a global leader in clean energy technology. Your government pioneered North America’s first regulatory system to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emi s- sions, and it was designed to encourage innovation in our province. The system has achieved more than 17 million tonnes of reductions from business -as-usual to date and has collected $186 million into the climate change and emissions management fund.

We will continue to invest millions of dollars from this fund into unique, tr ansformative projects to produce cleaner energy from fossil fuels, improve energy efficiency, explore renewable energy strategies, and develop advanced carbon capture and storage tech- nology in our province. Alberta is also working with industry to develop four commer- cial-scale carbon capture and storage projects. Together they will capture and store 5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in unde r- ground formations by 2015. Alberta ’s geology is well suited to this purpose.

We have many formations that have held hydroca r- bons safely for thousands of years. Your government’s vision for a clean energy future will create entirely new business markets in which Alberta -made, climate- friendly technology solutions are marketed around the world. Alberta will continue to w ork diligently on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in ways that produce tangible benefits for our prov- ince and its people now and in the years ahead.

Building Canada’s Best-performing Publicly Funded Health System Your government will continue building on the Premier’s vision of creating Canada’s best-performing publicly funded health sy s- tem right here in Alberta. That vision means Albertans will have better access, shorter wait times, and safe, quality care when they need it, and it means we will adher e to the principles of the Canada Health Act. Becoming the Best Moving forward with the actions in Becoming the Best: Albe r- ta’s 5-Year Health Action Plan will help us achieve that vision.

The plan contains the most ambitious and comprehensive set of commitments to improve access to health care in Canada. It is supported with clear performance measures and five- year perfor- mance targets. It puts people first by addressing the health needs of patients, families, and communities. Under the health action plan another 1,000 continuing care spaces will be added this year to provide Alberta seniors with more choice and greater independence. We will add at least 5,300 continuing care spaces by 2015.

This is the largest expansion of continuing care spaces ever plann ed in our province, and fittingly it begins as the first of the baby boomers turn 65. We will launch a co -ordinated provincial cancer strategy to reduce the incidence of cancer, increase access to cancer treatment across Alberta, and improve the quality o f life for those living with the disease. The strategy will address immediate and future

February 22, 2011 Alberta Hansard 5 needs for prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer as well as workforce requirements. As part of the health action plan we will also announce a co m- prehensive addiction and mental health strategy for the province. It will provide Albertans with timely access to addiction and me n- tal health services and programs and better integrate mental health and addiction services into the overall health system. The health action plan is backstopped by the first -of-its-kind five-year funding commitment for Alberta Health Services.

That commitment, which includes a 6 per cent increase in health fun d- ing for 2011-12, provides stable, predictable funding to ensure the action plan’s commitments become reality. We have also ear- marked $2.6 billion over three years to expand, upgrade, build, and equip additional health care facilities. Implementing the New Alberta Health Act The new Alberta Health Act and the health chart er currently being developed provide for all Albertans to have access to the services of primary care teams.

As part of our commitment to strengthen primary health care, Albertans will have access to a primary care team and a basic suite of health care ser vices on a timely basis. Over time this initiative is expected to greatly shor t- en wait times and improve quality throughout all levels of the health care system. Albertans will also continue to have a say in their health system. Our government will gather input on a health charter and the regu- lation to establish a health advocate, with a view to proclaiming the new act and appointing a health advocate later this year.

Safe, Vibrant Communities Even during the economic downturn Alberta has remained a place of safe, vibrant communities, where Albertans in most need are protected and cared for. Government will continue to ensure that programs and services are in place to support vulnerable and at-risk children, youth, families, and seniors. Caring for Albertans Most in Need This session legislation will be introduced to strengthen protection for victims of family violence and to hold accountable those who violate protection orders. These amendments will make Alberta ’s penalties for such violations among the strongest in Canada.

We will work with municipalities and service organizations on a co-ordinated approach to meet the needs of Alberta ’s growing urban aboriginal population. While keeping costs down through a competitive tendering process, we will continue to partner with nonprofit organizations, the private sector, and municipalities to further support the deve l- opment of 11,000 affordable housing units by 2012. Another 500 homeless Albertans will receive supports, services, and permanent housing to help them on the road to independence.

Although most Albertans and other Canadians are prudently saving for retirement, there is a significant minority who may not have enough savings to maintain their standard of living after retirement. The Alberta government will continue to be a leader in efforts to improve prospects for future retirees.

Building on a co n- cept first championed by our government, Alberta will work closely with federal, provincial, and territorial governments this year to develop standards and legislation to allow for new types of registered pension plans for self-employed people and other work- ers who do not have workplace pension plans. Making Communities Stronger and Safer Your government knows that sustainable and accountable m u- nicipalities, where all Albertans can enjoy a high quality of life, are important to Alberta’s success. That’s why Alberta is commit- ted to building the municipalities of the 21st century.

We remain committed to our partnership with municipalities on the municipal su stainability initiative, a program that has su p- ported more than 2,100 municipal infrastructure projects, and we remain committed to continuing the excellent work begun under the Alberta safe communities initiative. Alberta ’s gang reduction strategy will be implemented to address one of the leading causes of violent crime in the province. Your government will also introduce legislation that will allow police agencies to have greater access to information when co n- ducting missing persons investigations.

The Alberta government remains committed to building a state - of-the-art public safety and law enforcement training centre in Fort Macleod. It will support Alberta’s new law enforcement framework and ensure consistent standards of training and skills among law enforcement personnel from across the province. Con- struction of the training centre is expected to commence by summer 2012. Showcasing Our Province Ours is a province with an amazing story to tell.

Through Alberta Arts Days, September 30 to October 2, 201 1, we will continue to showcase and celebrate the rich diversity of arts, cu l- ture, and heritage throughout our province. Your government will continue its efforts to showcase Alberta as the place for television, motion picture, and digital media pr o- ductions, offering a unique mix of talent, scenery, and the facilities to make movie magic. Conclusion Alberta has come through the recession better than just about anywhere else. While other jurisdictions were piling on debt, rai s- ing taxes, or cutting program s, Alberta stayed true to its plan.

Our operating budget is balanced, cherished public programs and se r- vices have been not only protected but strengthened, and we are continuing to build our infrastructure to enable future growth. But Albertans are not con tent to simply ride out the storm. We know that past success does not guarantee future prosperity, and like those who first built our province, we must continually strive to be more effective and innovative in everything we do. We must boost the competitiveness of our economy and work to develop new markets in Asia and elsewhere.

We must diversify our products and industries while bolstering our foundations in energy, forestry, agriculture, and tourism. We must keep investing in infrastructure and in the education of our people to find tomorrow’s innovations and foster future ec o- nomic growth. We must be a leader in responsible energy production and env i- ronmental protection. We must build a health care system that provides the care Albertans need when and where they need it.

And we must continue to build safe, vibrant communities, where those who are most in need are supported and where all Albertans can participate in the economic, social, and cultural life of our province. Finally, we must do these th ings while protecting the fiscal advantages Albertans have worked so hard to build.

6 Alberta Hansard February 22, 2011 This is your government’s plan for the way forward out of r e- cession and into recovery and beyond. It’s a plan that fulfills all the promise of our wonderful province and r ecognizes the amaz- ing potential that is yet to be realized. It’s a plan to build a better Alberta for all Albertans. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, and may God bless you all. God bless Alberta. God bless Canada. God save the Queen. [Standing ovation] The Speaker: Ladies and gentlemen and hon. members, I would now invite Mr. Paul Lorieau to lead us in the singing of God Save The Queen.

Please remain standing after. Hon. Members and Guests: God save our gracious Queen, long live our noble Queen, God save The Queen! Send her victorious, happy and glorious, long to reign over us; God save The Queen! The Sergeant-at-Arms: Order! [Preceded by the Sergeant -at-Arms, Their Honours, their party, and the Premier left the Chamber as a fanfare of trumpets sounded] The Speaker: Please be seated. [The Mace was uncovered] The Speaker: Ladies and gentlemen and hon. members, the Pr e- mier is currently escorting the Lieutenant Governor back to his suite.

I’ll use this opportunity just to provide you with a bit of information. Earlier this afternoon a new carillon was inaugurated as the first step in one of the many preparations and events as we move t o- ward September 3, 2012, and the 100th birthday of this Alberta Legislature Building. September 1, 1905, saw Alberta created as a province. Construction of the Alberta Legislature, this building, began in 1907 and was completed five years later, with an official opening date of September 3, 1912. Fifty-five years later a carillon was installed to commemorate Canada’s centennial in 1967.

The dedication ceremony was held on December 1, 1966, and the ca r- illon played daily for 29 years before the original carillon went out of service. After some 15 years of silence we today inaugurated a new carillon. Music will once again emanate from this building. The carillon will be heard daily at noon and 6 o’clock p.m., and it will strike the Westminster chime on the hour, followed by 15 minutes of musical selections. It will continue until we are inundated with numerous complaints fr om residents in the area about the unwa r- ranted intrusion into the quiet of their lives. So, Mr.

Mayor, should there be complaints, please direct them this way. I’d like to publicly thank the previous minister of Alberta Infra- structure and the current mini ster of Alberta Infrastructure for their enthusiastic support for this project. Thank you both, gentl e- men. [applause] Celebration and commemoration of activities in our history is extremely important.

For those who sit to my left – it will be more difficult for those who sit to my right – if you turn your attention to the centrepiece on that particular wall, there is a beautiful wi n- dow, done and donated by the city of Edmonton to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the province of Alberta. The city council of Edmonton generously started to work with us several years ago. It depicts Princess Alberta, the history of Alberta, it depicts the North Saskatchewan River, and it’s seen best in the early morning as the dawn sun arrives. It’s a magnificent gift and par t of the history of the province of Alberta.

Now, the Premier will return very, very shortly. Please take this opportunity to say hello to your neighbour. [The Premier returned to the Chamber] head: Tablings The Speaker: I have the honour now to table a copy of the Speech from the Throne given graciously by His Honour the Hon- ourable the Lieutenant Governor. head: Introduction of Bills The Speaker: Mr. Premier. Bill 1 Asia Advisory Council Act Mr. Stelmach: Thank you, Mr . Speaker. I request leave to intr o- duce Bill 1, the Asia Advisory Council Act. Bill 1 really builds upon Alberta ’s efforts to gain better market access to markets, especially Asia.

Alberta cannot sustain superior economic prosperity by relying on the fragile growth in the United States. We must diversify our markets. We must further our rel a- tions with key markets such as China, Japan, Korea, and India. We must tap into the future potential of these markets, where hundreds of millions of people seek a bett er quality of life, people that want our energy, our food, our wood fibre, products to raise their standard of living. With new investment and with new export markets we will create a wealth unlimited – unlimited – in oppor- tunities for this province. This is at the core of Bill 1.

If passed, Bill 1 will establish a council of 10 members who will represent a cross -section of or- ganizations, cross -sections of interest as well such as business, cultural, and academic communities. The council will provide advice. It will also provide a perspective as Alberta deepens our economic ties with the region. These expanded relationships are critical to sustaining success and prosperity for Albertans now and well into the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Motion carried; Bill 1 read a first time] head: Motions The Speaker: The hon. the Premier. Mr. Stelmach: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I now move that the speech of His Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor to this Assembly be taken into consideration on February 23, 2011. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Motion carried] The Speaker: The hon. Government House Leader. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my privilege to move that the House do now adjourn until Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. [Motion carried; the Assembly adjourned at 4:07 p.m. to Wedne s- day at 1:30 p.m.]

Table of Contents Prayers ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Entrance of the Lieutenant Governor .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Speech from the Throne Building a Better Alberta ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Global Economy .......................................................................................................................... 2 Making the Most of Our Resources ........................................................................................................................................................... 2 Educating the Workforce of Tomorrow ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 Balancing Development and Conservation ................................................................................................................................................ 4 Building Canada’s Best-performing Publicly Funded Health System .................................................................................................. 4 Safe, Vibrant Communities ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Tablings .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Introduction of Bills Bill 1 Asia Advisory Council Act ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 Motions........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

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Price per issue is $0.75 including GST. Online access to Alberta Hansard is available through the Internet at www.assembly.ab.ca Subscription inquiries: Other inquiries: Subscriptions Legislative Assembly Office 1001 Legislature Annex 9718 – 107 St. EDMONTON, AB T5K 1E4 Telephone: 780.427.1302 Managing Editor Alberta Hansard 1001 Legislature Annex 9718 – 107 St. EDMONTON, AB T5K 1E4 Telephone: 780.427.1875 Published under the Authority of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta ISSN 0383-3623

Document details

Collection	Alberta — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20110222
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	L27 S4 20110222 1500 01 han.pdf
Language	en
Format	json
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	149bf978556d3c2b798ee98780e069823b29261f

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