Province of Alberta The 28th Legislature Third Session Alberta Hansard Thursday, March 19, 2015 Issue 23 The Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Speaker

Legislative Assembly of Alberta The 28th Legislature Third Session Zwozdesky, Hon. Gene, Edmonton-Mill Creek (PC), Speaker Rogers, George, Leduc-Beaumont (PC), Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees Jablonski, Mary Anne, Red Deer-North (PC), Deputy Chair of Committees Allen, Mike, Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo (PC) Amery, Moe, Calgary-East (PC) Anderson, Rob, Airdrie (PC) Anglin, Joe, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre (Ind) Barnes, Drew, Cypress-Medicine Hat (

W) Bhardwaj, Naresh, Edmonton-Ellerslie (PC) Bhullar, Hon. Manmeet Singh, Calgary-Greenway (PC) Bikman, Gary, Cardston-Taber-Warner (PC) Bilous, Deron, Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview (ND), New Democrat Opposition Whip Blakeman, Laurie, Edmonton-Centre (AL), Liberal Opposition House Leader Brown, Dr. Neil, QC, Calgary-Mackay-Nose Hill (PC) Calahasen, Pearl, Lesser Slave Lake (PC) Campbell, Hon. Robin, West Yellowhead (PC) Cao, Wayne C.N., Calgary-Fort (PC) Casey, Ron, Banff-Cochrane (PC) Cusanelli, Christine, Calgary-Currie (PC) Dallas, Cal, Red Deer-South (PC) DeLong, Alana, Calgary-Bow (PC) Denis, Hon.

Jonathan, QC, Calgary-Acadia (PC), Government House Leader Dirks, Hon. Gordon, Calgary-Elbow (PC) Donovan, Ian, Little Bow (PC) Dorward, Hon. David C., Edmonton-Gold Bar (PC) Drysdale, Hon. Wayne, Grande Prairie-Wapiti (PC) Eggen, David, Edmonton-Calder (ND), New Democrat Opposition House Leader Ellis, Mike, Calgary-West (PC) Fawcett, Hon.

Kyle, Calgary-Klein (PC) Fenske, Jacquie, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville (PC) Forsyth, Heather, Calgary-Fish Creek (W), Leader of the Official Opposition Fox, Rodney M., Lacombe-Ponoka (PC) Fraser, Rick, Calgary-South East (PC) Fritz, Yvonne, Calgary-Cross (PC) Goudreau, Hector G., Dunvegan-Central Peace-Notley (PC) Hale, Jason W., Strathmore-Brooks (PC) Hehr, Kent, Calgary-Buffalo (AL) Horne, Fred, Edmonton-Rutherford (PC) Jansen, Sandra, Calgary-North West (PC) Jeneroux, Matt, Edmonton-South West (PC) Johnson, Hon.

Jeff, Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater (PC) Johnson, Linda, Calgary-Glenmore (PC) Kang, Darshan S., Calgary-McCall (AL), Liberal Opposition Whip Kennedy-Glans, Donna, QC, Calgary-Varsity (PC) Khan, Hon. Stephen, St. Albert (PC) Klimchuk, Hon. Heather, Edmonton-Glenora (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Kubinec, Hon. Maureen, Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock (PC) Lemke, Ken, Stony Plain (PC), Deputy Government Whip Leskiw, Genia, Bonnyville-Cold Lake (PC) Luan, Jason, Calgary-Hawkwood (PC) Lukaszuk, Thomas A., Edmonton-Castle Downs (PC) Mandel, Hon.

Stephen, Edmonton-Whitemud (PC) Mason, Brian, Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood (ND) McAllister, Bruce, Chestermere-Rocky View (PC) McDonald, Hon. Everett, Grande Prairie-Smoky (PC) McIver, Hon. Ric, Calgary-Hays (PC) McQueen, Hon. Diana, Drayton Valley-Devon (PC) Notley, Rachel, Edmonton-Strathcona (ND), Leader of the New Democrat Opposition Oberle, Hon. Frank, Peace River (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Olesen, Cathy, Sherwood Park (PC) Olson, Hon. Verlyn, QC, Wetaskiwin-Camrose (PC) Pastoor, Bridget Brennan, Lethbridge-East (PC) Pedersen, Blake, Medicine Hat (PC) Prentice, Hon.

Jim, PC, QC, Calgary-Foothills (PC), Premier Quadri, Sohail, Edmonton-Mill Woods (PC) Quest, Dave, Strathcona-Sherwood Park (PC) Rodney, Dave, Calgary-Lougheed (PC) Rowe, Bruce, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills (PC) Sandhu, Peter, Edmonton-Manning (PC) Sarich, Janice, Edmonton-Decore (PC) Saskiw, Shayne, Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills (W), Official Opposition House Leader Scott, Hon. Donald, QC, Fort McMurray-Conklin (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Sherman, Dr. Raj, Edmonton-Meadowlark (AL), Liberal Opposition Whip Smith, Danielle, Highwood (PC) Starke, Dr.

Richard, Vermilion-Lloydminster (PC) Stier, Pat, Livingstone-Macleod (W), Official Opposition Whip Strankman, Rick, Drumheller-Stettler (

W) Swann, Dr. David, Calgary-Mountain View (AL), Leader of the Liberal Opposition Towle, Kerry, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake (PC) VanderBurg, George, Whitecourt-Ste. Anne (PC), Government Whip Weadick, Greg, Lethbridge-West (PC) Wilson, Jeff, Calgary-Shaw (PC) Woo-Paw, Hon. Teresa, Calgary-Northern Hills (PC) Xiao, David H., Edmonton-McClung (PC) Young, Steve, Edmonton-Riverview (PC) Vacant, Battle River-Wainwright Vacant, Spruce Grove-St. Albert Party standings: Progressive Conservative: 70 Wildrose: 5 Alberta Liberal: 5 New Democrat: 4 Independent: 1 Vacant: 2 Officers and Officials of the Legislative Assembly W.J.

David McNeil, Clerk Robert H. Reynolds, QC, Law Clerk/ Director of Interparliamentary Relations Shannon Dean, Senior Parliamentary C ounsel/Director of House Services Stephanie LeBlanc, Parliamentary Counsel and Legal Research Officer Nancy Robert, Research Officer Philip Massolin, Manager of Research Services Brian G. Hodgson, Sergeant-at-Arms Chris Caughell, Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Gordon H. Munk, Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Janet Schwegel, Managing Editor of Alberta Hansard

Executive Council Jim Prentice Premier, President of Executive Council, Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations, Minister of Aboriginal Relations Manmeet Singh Bhullar Minister of Infrastructure Robin Campbell President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Jonathan Denis Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Gordon Dirks Minister of Education David Dorward Associate Minister of Aboriginal Relations Wayne Drysdale Minister of Transportation Kyle Fawcett Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Jeff Johnson Minister of Seniors Stephen Khan Minister of Service Alberta Heather Klimchuk Minister of Human Services Maureen Kubinec Minister of Culture and Tourism Stephen Mandel Minister of Health Everett McDonald Associate Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ric McIver Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour Diana McQueen Minister of Municipal Affairs Frank Oberle Minister of Energy Verlyn Olson Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Donald Scott Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education Teresa Woo-Paw Associate Minister of Asia Pacific Relations

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future Chair: Mr. Amery Deputy Chair: Mr. Stier Barnes Dallas Eggen Fox Hehr Kennedy-Glans Luan Quadri Rogers Rowe Sarich Starke Towle Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Chair: Mr. Casey Deputy Chair: Mrs. Jablonski Amery Barnes Ellis Lukaszuk Mason Sherman Smith Standing Committee on Families and Communities Chair: Ms Olesen Deputy Chair: Mr.

Barnes Cusanelli Eggen Fenske Fox Fritz Leskiw Pedersen Quest Rodney Sandhu Strankman Swann Weadick Standing Committee on Legislative Offices Chair: Mr. Jeneroux Deputy Chair: Dr. Brown Blakeman DeLong Eggen Leskiw Quadri Saskiw Strankman Wilson Young Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services Chair: Mr. Zwozdesky Deputy Chair: Mr. VanderBurg Forsyth Fritz Hale Johnson, L. Lukaszuk Mason McAllister Sherman Strankman Standing Committee on Private Bills Chair: Mrs.

Leskiw Deputy Chair: Ms Cusanelli Allen Barnes Bilous Brown DeLong Fenske Fritz Jablonski Olesen Rowe Stier Swann Xiao Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Chair: Mr. Luan Deputy Chair: Mr. Rogers Bilous Calahasen Casey Ellis Kang Olesen Pastoor Pedersen Rodney Saskiw Starke Stier Wilson Standing Committee on Public Accounts Chair: Mr. Saskiw Deputy Chair: Mr. Young Allen Anderson Anglin Barnes Bilous Donovan Hehr Horne Jansen Jeneroux Luan Pastoor Sarich Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship Chair: Mr. Goudreau Deputy Chair: Mr.

Strankman Allen Bikman Blakeman Brown Calahasen Cao Fraser Hale Johnson, L. Mason Stier Xiao Young

March 19, 2015 Alberta Hansard 735 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Title: Thursday, March 19, 2015 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, 2015 [The Speaker in the chair] head: Prayers The Speaker: Good afternoon. Let us pray. O Gracious God and Holy Creator, as we conclude for this week our work in this Assembly, we ask for renewed energy to help us continue our work back home at the local level with the people in our constituencies. Amen. Please be seated. head: Introduction of Visitors The Speaker: Hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs, I believe you have a visitor in the gallery. Mrs.

McQueen: Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly Mrs. Cecilia Villanueva Bracho, consul of the United Mexican States in Calgary. Thank you for being here with us. Cecilia is accompanied by Ms Lilia del Carmen Morales, deputy consul from the consulate of the United Mexican States in Calgary, and Mr. Pérez, liaison officer for the seasonal workers agriculture program with the consulate of Mexico. Mr.

Speaker, Alberta and M exico benefit from a long -standing relationship, including significant trade between our two jurisdictions. In fact, Alberta opened its office in Mexico more than a decade ago, and since then our relationship has flourished. Over the years Mexico has grown to become Alberta’s third -largest trading partner, with two -way trade between our jurisdictions totalling close to $2.4 billion. Today it is my pleasure to ask our guests to please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: Welcome. Mrs. Sarich: Mr.

Speaker, it is my special honour and privilege to rise today to introduce to you and through you to all Members of the Legislative Assembly two very remarkable Albertans seated in your gallery. It is my pleasure to recognize Mr. Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Centre. He was first elected in 2006 and will be retiring from politics at the next federal election. He served as a parliamentary secretary to the Minister of National Defence from 2007 to 2011. Mr. Hawn had a distinguished career with the Canadian armed forces, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

In 2010 Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Mr. Hawn to the Queen’s Privy Council of Canada, and in 2011 he was appointed to the Treasury Board subcommittee on the strategic and operating review. Mr. Hawn was also selected as a Canadian representative and co-chair of the Canada-United States Permanent Joint Board of Defence. In 2012 he was appointed to serve on the Treasury Board cabinet committee, and in 2013 the Prime Minister appointed him to the Treasury Board Sub-Committee on Government Administration. Mr. Hawn is a servant of the people.

His leadership is principled in approach, coupled with an unwavering commitment to the constituents of Edmonton-Centre. He is a true friend of mine and supporter of many individuals and groups within Edmonton and area communities. Laurie is accompanied this afternoon by his lovely wife, Mrs. Judy Hawn. Mr. Speaker, heartfelt, sincere thanks to Judy, a dynamic spouse, mother, and grandmother. She embodies the ideals we cherish as Albertans: strength, loyalty, and commitment. She has given selflessly and made tremendous sacrifices, all in support of her hero, Laurie, the person she loves dearly.

To both Laurie and Judy, on behalf of all Albertans, our debt of gratitude for your immeasurable contribution and service to our great country, province, and city. May your life’s journey continue to be filled with an abundance of blessings. I would now ask the Assembly to please join me in providing the traditional warm welcome. Thank you. The Speaker: Thank you, and congratulations. Thank you on behalf of all. head: Introduction of Guests The Speaker: Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, you have a group to introduce? Mr. Denis: Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I’m also very happy to see Laurie and Judy coming to join us today. I’m also privileged today to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly 11 individuals from the Department of Justice and Solicitor General who are here today for question period. These are all individuals who work ha rd every day to help keep our communities safe, put our victims first, and provide access to justice for all of us.

I’d ask them each to stand, one by one, as I call their names: Morgan Peachey -Dupon, Kiernan Adams, Nikki Thompson, Carrie Coburn, Lisa Goldrup, Paula Vo, Janet Hughes, Gayln MacIsaac, Barb Hermans, Andrea Muller, and Marcus Smith. I ask that you please give them the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: Let us move on with other important guests, starting with school groups. Strathmore-Brooks, I believe you have a guest to introduce. Mr. Hale: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s my honour to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Legislature on behalf of my colleague from Airdrie 101 visitors from C.W. Perry school here today to watch our proceedings. I would like to introduce the teachers and group leaders and parents with them: Miss Stephanie Wilson, Miss Jolie Nelson, Mr. Curtis Fong, Mr. Brian Jackson, Mrs. Jolene Roberge, and Mrs. Laura Hudson. I would ask that they rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: Are there other school or education groups? Seeing none, let us proceed with the Minister of Human Services. Mrs.

Klimchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to introduce two residents of my fantastic constituency of Edmonton-Glenora . Marlene and Richard Hauser have come to the House to watch the proceedings and catch a glimpse of their wonderful granddaughter Lindsay in action as one of our hard-working pages. I thank them for coming this afternoon. I would ask that they please rise and receive the warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre , followed by the Minister of Seniors. Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I’d like to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly

736 Alberta Hansard March 19, 2015 Vasant Chotai, who is the president, and Susan Morrissey, who’s the executive director of the Edmonton Social Planning Council. Now, the Edmonton Social Planning Council is celebrating its 75th anniversary of serving Edmonton and area with very high-quality research. In fact, later I’ll be profiling their most recent document, A Profile of Poverty in Edmonton. I would ask them to please rise and accept our congratulations on their 75th anniversary, and please welcome these two to our Assembly. The Speaker: The hon.

Minister of Seniors, followed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Mr. J. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a privilege to rise and introduce to you and through you some very speci al constituents that I have here today. Seated in the members’ gallery, Herb Holgate is a second-generation farmer from Thorhild county. He and his wife, Rose, have been married for 56 years and worked the same farm his family first homesteaded in 1914. Th ey’re accompanied by their daughters: a very good friend of mine, Deb Hamilton; Cindy Wietzel; and Bonnie Ollikka.

Alberta’s greatness is borne on the backs of determined, hard- working families like the Holgates. Like families before them, they’ve dedicat ed their lives to enhancing the resources our province is naturally blessed with and leaving our communities better than we found them. They’re certainly doing that. The Holgates made the journey to Edmonton today to receive the Alberta Century farm and ranch award in recognition of their ongoing contribution to Alberta’s proud agricultural and cultural heritage. It’s truly an honour for me to be their MLA.

I’d like to ask them to please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The Minister of Municipal Affairs, followed by Edmonton-Calder. Mrs. McQueen: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two intro- ductions. It gives me great pleasure to rise today to introduce to you and through you 19 interns who began their local government careers in the municipal intern program in May 2014. This program provides an opportunity to gain real -life experience within our departments as we support towns, villages, counties, municipal districts, and cities across this province.

This gro up will join more than 200 interns who have participated in this valuable program since 2002. I would ask them to rise as I say their names: Ryan Westerson, Kaylee Galipeau, Nicola Wood, Stefanie Drozda, Carl Kurppa, Jason Lussier, Darlene Bezeau, Logan Ro bicheau, Jeff Chipley, Léanne Labossière, Tyler Andreasen, Jenelle Braun, Karl Mielke, Matthew Siddons, Reed DesRoches, Dustin Bisson, Kate Churchill, Jaiden Henry, and Anna Lim. The Municipal Affairs staff with the program: Wendy Peters, Melanie Wood, Che lsea Williamson, and Erin Hambleton.

Let’s give them the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. 1:40 The Speaker: Thank you. Your second introduction, please. Mrs. McQueen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m also pleased to introduce to you Brian Alford, president and chief executive officer of the Safety Codes Council, and his colleagues Tyler Wightman and Erin Stroud. These folks are in the House today for the introduction of Bil l 21, the Safety Codes Amendment Act, 2015.

Also seated in the public gallery are my staff from the public safety division of Municipal Affairs: Bruce McDonald, James Orr, Colin Robertson, Asha Clarke, Karen Pottruff, and Alex Morrison, who have been hard at work on Bill 21. Thank you for your outstanding work. If you could rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Calder. Mr. Eggen: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to introduce to you and through you three individuals.

First, a social work practicum student, Kelsey Ackerman originally comes from Lethbridge and pursued studies at Lethbridge College, Bow Valley College, and Vancouver Island University, and now she is at Grant MacEwan in the social work program. She is planning to work with youth at risk, and she is a very, very excellent prospect, I think, in that regard. The second person I would like to introduce is a first - year social work student working in the office of Friends of Medicare, Robyn Bryant. She is working toward her diploma as well at Grant MacEwan and comes from St. Albert originally.

The third person I’d like to introduce is Sandra Azocar, who is the executive director of Friends of Medicare. The three of them came here together today. I’d ask the three of them to rise and receive a very warm reception from the members. The Speaker: Thank you. head: Members’ Statements The Speaker: Hon. members, we have two minutes each. Let us start with the hon. Member for Calgary -Lougheed, followed by Calgary-Mountain View. International Day of Happiness Mr. Rodney: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The International Day of Happiness will be celebrated tomorrow in all 193 United Nations member states, who have adopted a resolution calling for happiness to be given a greater priority. Here in Alberta we have so much to be thankful for that every day could be considered a provincial day of happiness. Albertans have built a province in which we are privy to a quality of life that is second to none, and since we’re under new management, I have no doubt that we are on course for even better things in the future.

We are blessed with some of the most beautiful scenery and greatest recreational opportunities on the planet: mountains, parks, forests, waterways, and grasslands that are so gorgeous we have to Remember to Breathe. We create unforgettable memories, cheering on the Stampeders, Flames, Oilers, Eskimos, and our amateur sports teams. We enjoy the Calgary Stampede, West Edmonton Mall, a myriad of festivals and celebrations, and so much more.

We have natural resources in abundance; a young, skilled, productive workforce; a strong commitment to innovation and knowledge-based industries courtesy of a financially responsible government provincially, which has created a highly competitive business environment, built modern and efficient infrastructure and the best tax regime in the country by far. Add to that world-class education, health, and human services, Alberta Get Outdoors, or GO, Weekend, which is celebrated on the second weekend of April every year. This year it’s April 10 to 12. Mr.

Speaker, during the International Day of Happiness tomorrow, the first day of spring, and on every day that follows, we would do well to remember the words of our Premier: we cannot win a bigger lottery than living right here in Alberta. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

March 19, 2015 Alberta Hansard 737 The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary -Mountain View , followed by Calgary-Glenmore. Childhood Immunization Dr. Swann: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. Over the past several weeks Alberta Liberals have called on this government to take action on a simple question of public safety, mandatory choice on vaccines for school enrolment. When faced with this issue, the PC government has simply offered platitudes about the importance of vaccination but refuses to show real leadership.

It says that it needs to consult with school boards and parents to ensure their rights are not infringed upon. Of course, this was the same argument used against gay -straight alliance s, which, it was later proved, was inappropriate when it came to protecting the safety of our schoolchildren. That’s exactly what vaccines do. Ensuring our schoolchildren are immunized for these diseases not only protects them but those around them who may not be able to be immunized such as newborn infants, those with allergies, or seniors with immune deficiency.

In fact, school immunizations are a great way to protect the whole community, from infected children and the vulnerable to senior citizens. Un der our policy Alberta would join four other provinces that require either proof of immunization for students registering in public school or mandatory choice; that is, they would require that a formal decision be made by parents. While exceptions are made for those that cannot be vaccinated or those with religious or other objections, the result is that once given information and faced with a choice, parents often opt to protect their children.

The Minister of Health claimed that provinces with mandatory choice provisions have lower vaccination rates, but that’s wrong. Newfoundland has mandatory choice, and its immunization rates are the highest in the country: 95 per cent immunization for mumps, meningitis, measles, and rubella. Alberta is only at 74 per cent. While no one should be forced to take any vaccine, an informed decision should be made. The discomfort of my Conservative colleagues with this issue is obvious, but this issue, a serious public health issue that’s growing, needs to be addressed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Calgary -Glenmore, followed by Edmonton-South West. Albertans’ Response to Economic Environment Ms L. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Here in the Legislature we have had much discussion regarding the impact that $42 oil prices continue to have on our provincial government and the upcoming Budget 2015. I speak today on behalf of my constituents and the many Albert ans that also face uncertainty. Our current economic environment has meant that tough decisions are being made province-wide. The total number of layoffs now reaches into the thousands.

I am hearing reports of smaller lineups in the food courts and parkades of downtown Calgary. A constituent who is in corporate computer hardware and IT sales had over $1 million in sales contracts cancelled in just one day. Through it all and true to our determination as Albertans, constituents are also informing me of innovative ways by which employers are protecting their employees. This has included reducing payroll and overhead costs by introducing new vacation packages and decreasing top -management salary expenses.

These steps ensure that employers are still able to get the job done and meet their operational demands. Layoffs are always difficult and can be a significant burden on individuals and their families. I remind all Albertans that this downturn will not last, and we will get through it together. Our government will continue to work with employers to offer relevant support services to their employees where needed. This evening the canvas auction for the 2015 Calgary Stampede will take place. The tarp auction for the chuckwagon race is to many Calgarians an indicator of the health of the local economy.

I wish success to the bidders and their wagon teams. A gathering of citizens is good for our city and for its people. Mr. Speaker, we are all in this together, and I hope that Albertans remain confident in knowing that we will persevere through these tough times. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: I believe we have time to hear one more. Let’s hear from Edmonton-South West, please. Compassionate Caregivers Mr. Jeneroux: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

A little over a year ago, on February 1, 2014, Albertans gained the ability to take eight weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave from employment in order to serve as compassionate caregivers for their loved ones. I’m immensely thankful to have had the privilege of spearheading the Employment Standards (Compassionate Care Leave) Amendment Act, 2012, and I am proud that Albertans now have this opportunity. But the story behind this milestone for caregivers goes back to my earliest days as an MLA.

Knocking on doors and speaking with families in Edmonton- South West back in 2012, one thing kept coming up over and over again, the importance of healthy, stable, supportive families. I was shocked to learn that so many people were being forced to choose between their jobs on the one hand and caring for palliative family members on the other. Alberta was the only province not to have any legislated supports in place to help these compassionate caregivers or to give them the peace of mind that they would not lose their job should they need to take time to care for a loved one.

Over the 2012-2013 fiscal year alone 573 Albertans accessed the federal compassionate care EI benefits, which was a 16 per cent increase over the previous year. However, the federal EI benefits don’t protect the caregivers’ jobs. I was deeply disturbed by this, Mr. Speaker. Having consulted with stakeholders and experts such as the Canadian Cancer Society, the Alberta Caregivers Association, and a research team at the University of Alberta, the need for legislation th at would protect compassionate caregivers was obvious. The expertise and support of these organizations and individuals played a huge

part in ensuring this bill was passed in the House in the spring of 2013. Now Albertans have had access to job -protected compassionate care leave for a full year thanks to the hard work of these motivated individuals and the families and caregivers who spoke up. No longer will any Albertan have to make the choice between being a caregiver for a loved one or keeping a job. Al bertans are better served by it, and I’m proud to have played my part and even more grateful to have been of service to young families in my constituency and across the province. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. 1:50 head: Oral Question Period The Speaker: Hon. me mbers, 35 seconds maximum for the question, 35 seconds maximum for the response or reply. Let us begin with the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.

738 Alberta Hansard March 19, 2015 Health Care Performance Measures Mrs. Forsyth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Five years ago this government made a commitment that by this March we’d have the best health care system in the world. The report was called Becoming the Best. It promised that all surgeries would be completed within 14 weeks. So how have we done? Knee surgeries take 49 weeks; hip and back surgeries take 37; stomach surgery, 47 weeks. Minister, I get that this province is growing, and I get that your bureaucracy is growing.

After that failed plan, why would Albertans believe that the plan you announced yesterday will be any different? The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Infrastructure. Mr. Bhullar: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We have the same challenges in health care that I think every Canadian jurisdiction is wrestling with. Five -year plans are important goals, they’re important targets, and they’re long-term objectives that the government aims to pursue. We will keep working towards them. We’ll keep working with the front-line staff, the people that provide that compassionate care, caring for Albertans when they need it.

We’ll keep working with them, ensuring that there’s local decision- making to help ensure that Albertans are always looked after. Mrs. Forsyth: Minister, you failed every one. Every single one has been a failure. Health experts have repeatedly told us that the mos t important measurement of the health care system is the ER benchmark. It’s why we held an emergency debate in this Legislature in 2010. Five years ago Albertans were promised that by March of this year 90 per cent of patients would be admitted within eight hours. Here’s how we’re doing.

In Calgary 40 per cent of patients are admitted within eight hours. In Edmonton it is even worse, at about 30. Minister, rejigging isn’t helping. What are you going to do about it? Mr. Bhullar: Mr. Speaker, what we’re going to do is ensure that Albertans have a quality health care system that is there for them when they need it. It is a system – let’s be very honest – that can use improvement, absolutely. We’ll continue to make improvements in the system by working with the front lines to make improvements. There are developments happening.

For example, wait time for radiation therapy for cancer was three weeks last year, in March of 2014,

whereas it was 5.3 weeks just four years ago. Steps are moving. Things are moving. We are continuing to . . . The Speaker: Thank you, and we’ll probably hear more in the next supplemental. Mrs. Forsyth: Tell that to somebody who’s waiting for radiation. Three weeks? Come on, Minister. Five years ago Albertans were promised that by this March patients needing a specialist would see one within one month of referral. [interjection] It’s not funny. Today they wait three months, but in Calgary patients waiting for a spine specialist can’t even see one.

The U of C is turning people away becaus e they have 1,803 people on a wait -list. This is unacceptable, Minister. Since 2010 we’ve spent $75 billion on health care, and today someone can’t even get the access that they need to get spine surgery. Minister , what are you . . . The Speaker: Thank you. Let’s let the minister respond. Mr. Bhullar: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. As I’ve said before, Alberta is a vastly growing jurisdiction. We have more and more people coming to our jurisdiction every single year. Nobody brings a hospital with them. Nobody brings a doctor with them.

Nobody brings a specialist with them. That’s why we’re building infrastructure that’s needed for health care. That’s why we’re working with the front line of health care providers to ensure Albertans are taken care of. That’s why when we bring forward our budget next week, it’ll be a sound, principled fiscal plan that’ll ensure Albertans are getting the core services they need. The Speaker: Thank you. The hon. Member for Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills. Provincial Elections Mr.

Saskiw: It takes a lot of guts, courage, and determination to bring in a fixed election law: that was what the ESRD minister said just three years ago, fawning over his government bringing in a fixed election law. Now, the Premier laughs and shrugs it off, but the reality is that Albertans expect leadership they can trust, not just more of the same broken promises. To the Premier: do you agree with your minister that this law is important to protect the integrity of our democracy? Mr. Denis: Mr.

Spe aker, I think that under our Constitution any election is important to protect our democracy, and as someone who shares my same profession, I’m sure that the Member for Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills would agree. The Speaker: First supplemental. Mr. Saskiw: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That same ESRD minister spoke about fair play when he rightly noted the unfair manipulation of the election process by former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. You see, he called an early and unnecessary election just days af ter Stockwell Day, a former minister of this province, became federal Leader of the Opposition.

Sounds familiar. To the minister: do you agree with your colleague that using Liberal tactics and manipulating the date of an election is below the office of the Premier? The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs. Mrs. McQueen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These are very challenging times, as you know. We’ve got challenges where we’ve got oil sitting at $40 a barrel or just above that and we’ve got a $7 billion hole in our budget. But this is a time, as we prepare our budget, when we go out and we talk to Albertans about what’s important to them and hear from them.

That’s what’s important to this government, to hear from Albertans. Mr. Saskiw: Mr. Speaker, if you called an election when oil and gas went up and down, we’d have elections all the time. The Premier once asked Albertans to judge him by, and I quote: the integrity we have displayed. Getting some clarity on how he can break the integrity of his prom ises and the word of his MLAs matters to Albertans.

The PC MLA for Calgary -Shaw said that “fixed election dates do work” and that it’s important to not leave “the advantage to the government of the day and denying Albertans the certainty of an election.” It’s not bad advice. If the government is going to break its own laws, will they at the very least give Albertans the certainty of the election date? The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs. Mrs. McQueen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s very important that we talk with Albertans and we hear from Albertans. These are

March 19, 2015 Alberta Hansard 739 challenging times. These are not business -as-usual times. This Premier has a great deal of integrity. We’ll be laying out a plan on March 26 with the Finance minister, and then we’ll wan t to make sure that Albertans have an opportunity for input as we move forward in the years to come. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Lac La Biche-St. Paul -Two Hills. Agency and Government Management Compensation Mr. Saskiw: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

While the Premier is set to pin the blame on Albertans with the largest tax increase in Alberta history, today we found more fat, waste, and mismanagement across government. Travel Alberta rakes in $50 million every year from taxpayers. According to the public service pension plan Travel Alberta has 50 managers. The total number of their staff: 100. Minister, how can you justify a $2 billion tax grab when we have one manager for every employee at Travel Alberta? The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Culture and Tourism. Ms Kubinec: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have to tell you that the job that Travel Alberta does is quite amazing. The funds that come to Travel Alberta come from the tourism levy, which is specifically set up to promote tourism and develop tourism. Thank you. Mr. Saskiw: Mr. Speaker, to the minister. The fact is that while your PC government has the most bloated, most expensive government in Canada, you’re asking average Albertans to take the hit. After the Wildrose exposed excessive waste like $1,000 din ners and tuxedo rentals, the government ordered a review of management at Travel Alberta.

The CEO has been tossed, but records show that there are 50 managers in a 100 -employee organization. Minister, how can you expect Albertans to put up with your doom and gloom when you can’t even clean up your own house? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Ms Kubinec: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The work that Travel Alberta does is incredibly important to the economy of this province. That is how we are diversifying this econom y. Money is being brought in by tourists, and we are encouraging Albertans to travel within our province as well. Mr. Saskiw: Mr.

Speaker, golf courses, golden handshakes, corporate handouts, and maintaining perks for their bloated bureaucracy: these are PC priorities. While Albertans everywhere are hurting, managers across government have never seen it so good. Fresh off an 8 per cent pay raise this summer, senior managers will see the taxpayer -funded portion of their pension bumped up by 22 per cent, and while they’re going to raise taxes, the Premier and his MLAs are the highest paid in Canada. Minister, when are you going to stop cleaning out Albertans’ wallets and clean up this mess? Mr. Oberle: Mr.

Speaker, I think the member knows well, or at least it’s been explained enough times in this House, that the pension benefits don’t change. The government is moving to ensure that the pension fund is sustainable and solvent, and I think that’s a prudent thing to do. That’s what a real fiscal conservative would do. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Mountain View. Investigation into Release of Information Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yesterday the government told us that it halted an internal probe into alleged breaches of cabinet confidentiality and FOIP laws because the Privacy Commissioner is conducting an investigation. We also learned that the Calgary Police Service investigation into the same matter has gone cold. The Minister of Infrastructure has been publicly accused of peddling dirt on his colleague the hon. Member for Edmonton- Castle Downs to the opposition and the media. To the Minister of Infrastructure: will he categorically deny his involvement in leaking the phone bill? 2:00 Mr. Khan: I thank the hon. member for the question.

As the hon. member alluded to, we’ve answered this question a number of times, Mr. Speaker. This is an independent investigation led by the office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. It would be inappropriate for us to try to interfere or to try to rush the report along. We have confidence that in due time the office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner will complete her report. Dr. Swann: So the minister doesn’t deny it. When faced with these allegations, the only answer the government can muster is that it’s part of an ongoing, independent investigation.

While we respect the independence of these offices, Albertans hav e a right to know the scope of the investigations, especially if cabinet ministers are involved. To the Minister of Infrastructure again: are you being investigated by the Privacy Commissioner for breaching the FOIP Act and peddling personal information about your caucus colleagues? Yes or no? Mr. Denis: Mr. Speaker, as I identified yesterday to this member – and maybe he wants to check Hansard, but for his own edification, the police operate fully independently of any political authority in this country.

W hat’s happened, if there is an investigation or not: what I would suggest is that this member simply go and contact the Calgary Police Service and ask them because I’m not about to. I don’t interfere in investigations. The Speaker: Thank you. A final supplemental, hon. member. Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, the Metro news reports today that the PC Party has called in a former Calgary Police Service officer to investigate claims of alleged bribery in an Edmonton nomination race.

While that seems odd in itself, what is more surprising is that allegations against one member of the cabinet led to his resignation while he tries to clear his name, while the Minister of Infrastructure remains in the front bench. Why hasn’t the Minister of Infrastructure stepped aside while these investigations are going on? Why the double standard, or is he waiting to be told to step down? The Speaker: The hon. Government House Leader. The matter is under some review, under some investigation. Mr. Denis: It is under investigation, that he mentioned, part of the matter, that is. But, Mr.

Speaker, again, I’ve answered these questions before, and I have no further comment. The Speaker: The hon. leader of the ND opposition.

740 Alberta Hansard March 19, 2015 Surgery Delays at Stollery Children’s Hospital Ms Notley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Monday I asked why so many children at the Stollery children’s hospital have to suffer the emotional toll of cancelled surgeries. I was told that it was a blip, it was flu season, you know, all the kinds of answers we’ re used to. Today the interim chief of pediatric surgery at Stollery stood with me and challenged the minister’s assertions head-on. He told us that it’s not a blip; it’s a trend, and it’s getting much worse.

So again to the Premier: will he explain why Alberta families are seeing 100 per cent more cancelled surgeries at the Stollery hospital this year over last? Mr. Bhullar: Quite simply, Mr. Speaker, because last year there were 1,643 emergency surgeries, and this year there are 1,931 year to date already . So the fact is that there are 287 more emergency cases that have to be dealt with. Approximately 200 of those emergency cases were dealt with without affecting any other surgeries or cancelling them.

About 87 of those emergencies did result in other surgeries having to be cancelled or postponed for the day, but it was because of emergencies. The Speaker: Thank you. Ms Notley: Well, Mr. Speaker, our numbers don’t include emergency surgeries, so it’s completely not relevant to this issue. Now, the minister told us that a number of cancelled surgeries are only 1 per cent of the total number, but he included in- patient and outpatient surgeries. In fact, the cancelled surgeries for in -patient kids are the most serious, and those are the ones that are being turned away.

The chief of pediatric surgery suggested today that sometimes the rate of cancellation of in-patient surgeries is as high as 30 per cent. So again to the Premier: can he explain why we don’t have enough beds for the kids who need these surgeries? The Speaker: The Minister of Infrastructure. Mr. Bhullar: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the member’s question and the statements before are something that she needs to consider very wisely because she herself said that in -patient surgeries are the ones that have had to be cancelled or postponed.

The reason why that happens is quite simply because an emergency comes in the door. When an emergency comes in the door, they have to find a way to fit in that surgery, and sometimes that means delaying the surgery that is not an emergency. Ms Notley: Well, Mr. Speaker, the chief of pediatric surgery says that the information that we’re getting from this government is just wrong, and the problem is that we don’t have enough beds. In fact, the Stollery is performing four times as many surgeries now as they did 10 years ago, and the number of beds has hardly changed.

They simply aren’t doing their job providing the health care for Alberta’s children. Why? Why is that? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Bhullar: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We continue to ensure that Albertans are getting access to timely and effective health care treatments. This is always a continuous effort to ensure that we are bettering the services for Albertans, but sometimes what is needed are suggestions that are constructive to actually make things better. We welcome them from the other side or doctors or anybody else at any time.

We’re moving forth to ensure that Albertans have the health care they need when they need it. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre , followed by Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville. Maintenance Enforcement Ms Blakeman: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. One of the ways to build for a better future is to crack down on the deadbeat parents so that Martha and Henry’s grandchildren are getting the money to which they are entitled, yet according to Stats Canada 65 per cent of maintenance enforcement cases in this province are in arrears, so those kids don’t get to play hockey or go on a school trip.

To the Justice minister: why are 65 per cent of MEP accounts in Alberta in arrears? Mr. Denis: Well, first off, Mr. Speaker, I reject the premise of that question. I don’t have the statistics in front of me, but I will tell you one other thing, that maintenance enforcement plays a very important role in dealing with child support. I know that this member agrees . But every case also has to be handled on an individual, case-by-case basis. It’s a fundamental principle of justice. Ms Blakeman: Wow. That was a non answer. All ri ght. I don’t think he knows. Back to the Justice minister.

Twenty-eight thousand three hundred and seventy -five maintenance enforcement cases have money owing at the end of the last fiscal year, a total of just under half a billion dollars that Alberta kids are not getting for food, for clothing, for recreation, for school fees, whatever. Why has this number not improved at all, almost, over the last decade? Mr. Denis: Again, Mr. Speaker, the reality is that with more and more people coming to this provinc e, unfortunately, maintenance enforcement does require some more resources, and we have provided more resources.

Maintenance enforcement is an incredible part of our child support program. But again I say to this member that every case must be decided on an individual, case -by-case basis. Ms Blakeman: No. The year before there were 44,000 enrolled, and then there were 43,000 enrolled last year, so, no, not a whole bunch more. Back to the same minister. Now, despite this minister consistently going over budget on the maintenance enforcement file, we continue to have kids in Alberta going without because the government couldn’t collect for them. Why is that, Minister? Mr. Denis: Again the same answer. The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville, followed by Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood. Provincial Grant and Loan Guarantee Programs Ms Fenske: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Alberta has two seasons, winter and construction. Without the latter season our land and buildings would not be able to weather the winter storms, and, as we all know, Alberta is beginning to feel the effects of a very tight budget. Will we expect to see grants from municipalities cut? While there are some things that we can afford to lose or postpone, funding for roads, land, and building construction are not among them.

To the Minister of Municipal Affairs. My municipalities are w aiting. When can we expect to find out the recipients of the collaborative government initiative grants? The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs.

March 19, 2015 Alberta Hansard 741 Mrs. McQueen: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for the question, a very important quest ion. I thank the member for asking it because this was asked at AAMD and C as well. Our stakeholders and partners, municipalities, want to know this. Our municipal partners can expect by the end of March – we’re starting to roll out now. Alberta community partnership program applications have already been under review, and they’ll be rolling out. In addition to that is the small communities fund partnership with the federal government. Application deadlines for those are April 2.

The Speaker: First supplemental. Ms Fenske: Thank you. To the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. The Vegreville hospital sits on a flood risk area as it is right next to a large creek. It’s only common sense to be able to deal with this issue before it bec omes a bigger issue. Can we expect to see some funding from their request to the community resilience program for the Vegreville hospital? 2:10 The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. McQueen: Thank you. Thank you, hon. member. The hospital itself is sited in an area that is above the 1 in 100 years flood level.

However, as seen in past flood events, road access can be impacted during significant flood events. There are a number of programs available to help municipalities mitigate the potential risks of flooding to protect Albertans, and I understand from the Minister of ESRD that an application for flood mitigation funding has been submitted by the town of Vegreville under the Alberta community resiliency program. It’s a long-term program that will help reduc e floods and will be rolling out soon. Thank you. The Speaker: Final supplemental. Ms Fenske: Thank you.

My final question is to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. The feeder association loan guarantee program has extended the amount that can borrowed but demands 5 per cent, which is up to $50,000 of the total value, to be paid before receiving cattle. Can we expect to see this percentage dropped in the future? The Speaker: The hon. Associate Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Mr. McDonald: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In August of last year the minister did change the loan limit from $500,000 to $1 million, and that is the first action taken from the rural development action plan.

In fact, a comprehensive review of the plan is in process right now, and we look forward to the results. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Highlands - Norwood, followed by Vermilion-Lloydminster. Allegations of Criminal Wrongdoing Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, this government seems intent on investigating itself. Despite allegations of bribery directed at the Member for Edmonton- Ellerslie and former Associate Minister of Persons with Disabilities, the government insists that it is purely an internal party matter.

Now the PCs have hired a former police officer to conduct their internal investigation. What they don’t seem to understand is that allegations that would appear to violate sections 119 and 121 of the Criminal Code of Canada need to be investigated by the real police. So to the Premier: will you do the right thing and forward the sworn statement that is . . . The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Justice. The time for the question expired, so I have to recognize you. Mr. Denis: Okay. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

If this member has any information that he thinks would be of interest to a law enforcement agency, I highly encourage him to go and contact that particular agency. Any further answers have been done on Monday. I would suggest that he check Hansard. The Speaker: First supplemental. Mr. Mason: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. An interesting answer since the information that I am referring to was addressed to the Premier. Would you give the same advice to the Premier that you just gave to me? Mr. Denis: Again, Mr. Speaker, this has been asked and answered. The Speaker: Final supplemental. Mr.

Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. While I want to give the government one last chance to do the right thing and, frankly, to do their job, if the government won’t appoint a special prosecutor or forward the evidence to the police themselves, then we will. Last chance, Mr. Minister. Will you do the right thing and appoint a special prosecutor or forward the evidence to the police? Yes or no? Mr. Denis: Again, M r. Speaker, to appoint a special prosecutor, what we would have to do is actually have a charge laid. To my interest there has been no charge laid.

Again, if he has any information, this member should be declaring it directly to the police and taking it out of this Chamber. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Vermilion -Lloydminster, followed by Edmonton-Centre. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Dr. Starke: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last month the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed a positive case of BSE in an Alberta cow.

Now, the animal did not enter the human food or animal feed systems, and that’s vitally important, but, as we all know, when it was first diagnosed in 2003, BSE caused a widespread export ban on Canadian cattle and devastated our be ef industry. We’ve worked hard to reassure both domestic and world- wide customers that our beef is safe and to reopen our export markets. Now this. My question to the associate minister of rural development: what specific action is our government taking to support our beef producers? The Speaker: The hon. Associate Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Mr.

McDonald: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. The cow was identified through the BSE surveillance program and, as the member said, did not enter the f ood system, and there were no implications for human health. We continue to work closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as they are the lead on this investigation. Alberta and Canada have a comprehensive animal health food safety system in place to assist the situation and have demonstrated that it does work. The Speaker: First supplemental.

742 Alberta Hansard March 19, 2015 Dr. Starke: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister: given that the U.S. lobby group R -CALF is using this case to justify the continuing requirement for ver y damaging mandatory country of origin labelling, that costs our producers millions of dollars, what specific measures is our government taking to refute these spurious and vexatious arguments linking BSE and MCOOL? The Speaker: The hon. associate minister. Mr. McDonald: Well, thank you again, Mr. Speaker. As the member mentioned, there is no legitimate connection between BSE and mandatory country of origin labelling.

The World Trade Organization has already ruled three times that the U.S. is failing to meet its trade obligations because of COOL. We are very confident that the WTO will once again rule in Canada’s favour, and we expect that report to be released in the spring. Dr. Starke: Well, Mr.

Speaker, to the same minister: given that we export over 1 billion dollars’ worth of beef annually and given the vital importance of maintaining open export markets and given that China, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Peru, and Belarus have all placed a ban on imports of our beef, what exactly is our government doing to stop more countries from joining that list? The Speaker: The hon. associate minister. Mr. McDonald: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A few countries have temporarily halted their beef imports. Now, the total impact for Alberta is less than 5 per cent.

Our major trading partners have indicated that they’re confident in the processes that we have in place, and all steps are being taken to ensure comprehensive and effective investigations. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Cent re, followed by Edmonton-McClung. Legal Aid Funding Ms Blakeman: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. It is well known that our courts, particularly family courts, are clogged with people self-representing because they can’t afford a lawyer but, paradoxically, make too much money for legal aid.

Now, this government’s negligence on legal aid in effect makes the children of the Marthas and Henrys out there fall through the cracks with repeated delays in our family courts. To the Justice minister: why does the minister feel that it is appropriate to let almost 50 per cent of the children and grandchildren of Martha and Henry languish through family court with no legal aid assistance for parents to hire lawyers? Mr. Denis: Mr.

Speaker, the provincial government funds approximately 80 per cent of legal aid already, and through an intersessional deposit we provide an additional 5 and a half million dollars for legal aid. Of course, we have a budget coming next week. I would suggest that this member stay tuned. The Speaker: First supplemental. Ms Blakeman: Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Back to the same minister: given that as of the upcoming budget the considerable expense of any court -appointed legal counsel comes from legal aid coffers, thereby further diminis hing their funds available for regular legal aid, is the minister committed to covering court-ordered counsel past April out of the department’s resources? Mr. Denis: Again, Mr. Speaker, this member will have to stay tuned for the March 26 budget. The Speaker: Final supplemental. Ms Blakeman: Thank you.

Well, can the minister share with us his reasoning for failing to approve, despite being required to do so, Legal Aid’s revised internal budget for 2014- 15, which they submitted back before Christmas? How come? Mr. Denis: Again, Mr. Speaker, we have to act in the best interests of all actors, including taxpayers. Five and a half million dollars will be provided in addition to legal aid this year, and I also raised this at the national meeting of Justice ministers several months ago, about the federal government’s lack of funding for this important program. The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Edmonton-McClung, followed by Livingstone-Macleod. Postsecondary Education Accessibility Mr. Xiao: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the low price of oil, layoffs are occurring across many job fields and industries. Often when people are laid off, they choose to go back to school in order to update their skills or train in different fields of study completely. Given these concerns my question is for the Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education. Does the minister have concrete measures to accommodate the demand of this possible influx in enrolment? The Speaker: The hon.

Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education. Mr. Scott: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I can say that there is capacity across Campus Alberta, and the system is responsive to changes in demand. My department is working very closely with our Campus Alberta partners to determine how both short-term and long-term pressures can be addressed, and this is something that we do on an ongoing basis. Accessibility is extremely important and will be one of the biggest priorities in our postbudget consultation process across Campus Alberta.

I look forward to the member’s input as we work with all of our Campus Alberta partners to build a system that is focused on accessibility, sustainability, and excellence. Mr. Xiao: To the same minister: given that students may have to live away from home in order to obtain the skills they require, are financial support systems in place for living arrangements? 2:20 Mr. Scott: Again, Mr. Speaker, I’m very proud to say that Student Aid Alberta provides funding to help Albertans cover the living costs associated with pursuing a postsecondary education.

When a student applies for Student Aid Alberta loans and grants, their living costs are assessed using a standard monthly budget based on their marital status and whether they have dependent children. We will continue to review these costs to ensure Albertans get the funding that they need to pursue their postsecondary education. The member will also be happy to know that outside of student loans, we invest $234 million in student aid supports. These supports include scholarships, bur saries, grants, and debt management programs.

March 19, 2015 Alberta Hansard 743 Mr. Xiao: Again to the same minister: given that the government has promised to rein in spending, how much funding is currently available to assist out-of -work Albertans with their postsecondary education needs? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The member is right that we will be very fiscally prudent with government spending going forward. We know Alberta is facing a significant fiscal challenge. We will continue to support Albertans who want to further their training an d their postsecondary education.

In 2013-2014 nearly 61,000 Albertans received a total of $775 million in combined federal and provincial loans and grants to support their educational goals. In addition, the Alberta government also provided $74 million in scholarships and other awards. In recent years we made it easier to access student loan funding by streamlining processes. The Speaker: Thank you. The hon. Member for Livingstone -Macleod, followed by Strathcona-Sherwood Park. Flood Recovery Funding Mr. Stier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier is grabbing almost $20 million from taxpayers to rebuild the Kananaskis golf course despite the fact that thousands of Albertans are still waiting for disaster relief claims to be addressed. Minister, you’ve missed your target deadline to complete 80 per cent of eligible DRP claims by over a year now. How can you possibly justify spending taxpayer money like a drunken sailor on this golf course when a hundred per cent of flood victims are not yet back on their feet? The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs. Mrs. McQueen: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

To start with, I’d like to correct an inaccuracy. Of 10,500 flood claim cases, 80 per cent of those files have been completed, and we’ve added 15 extra people to ensure that we’ll have those completed by June. I want to also say that the estimated cost to rebuild is $14.6 million, and $2.3 million has been spent on work to date. The matter is certainly under review, and it is right now. The dollars that were spent, the $2.3 million to date, for the golf course consists of flood cleanup and salvage. The Speaker: First supplemental. Mr. Stier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Well, it’s two years later, and Albertans from Canmore to Highwood are still waiting for disaster relief. I think Albertans have been patient, but when they see this PC government spending $16 million, $14 million on a golf course, whichever it is, when they’re still trying to rebuild their lives, they have a right to be concerned, I think. Minister, is rebuilding golf courses really worth more to you than getting people back into their homes? Mrs. McQueen: Well, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to say that the Premier shares concerns about this matter as well.

No further funding will be spent on this, and the matter is under review right now. Mr. Stier: Okay. Well, that’s interesting. That’s a new piece of information. Minister, given that yo u’re back on track to rebuild the golf course by June ’16 but missed your target deadline to close eligible DRP claims by one year and counting, can you tell us when you will finally get around, then, to closing a hundred per cent of all eligible DRP files and getting the money to the people that really need it? Mrs. McQueen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With all due respect, I’ll say it slower.

We have said that we’ve added 15 extra people. We have committed to have the outstanding cases, just under 2,000 cases, completed by June of this year. We’ve put the staff in place to do that, and we’re on target to do that. As I also said in the question before, there is no further funding for the golf course, and it’s under review. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Strat hcona-Sherwood Park , followed by Drumheller-Stettler. Small-business Assistance Mr. Quest: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Small businesses have a profound impact here in our province, making up 95 per cent of all businesses in Alberta.

In 2012 Alberta small -business GDP per capita was almost $20,000 while the Canadian average was about $13,000. Last year I had the privilege of working on creating what became the small -business strategy for Alberta, a strategy to become an action plan that responds to the needs ex pressed by Alberta small businesses, making it simpler to do business in Alberta. My question is for the Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education.

What’s this government’s plan in addition to the small-business strategy and the Common Business Number Act, which was introduced on March 11, to ensure the burden on small business is reduced even further, allowing Alberta . . . The Speaker: Thank you. We’ll have to hear the answer now. The time for the question has expired. The hon. minister. Mr. Scott: Thank you very much. I’d like to thank this member for all his work on the small-business file. Well done. Alberta is the best place in Canada to do business, and we intend to keep it that way, Mr. Speaker.

As a key contributor to the small- business strategy the member knows that small business needs a big voice in government, and that’s what we are giving to them. Deliverables from the small -business strategy allow us to have constant feedback from Alberta small -business owners and entre - preneurs. Our new business adviser service is also up and delivering on their goal to get small business the information they need with a hands-off approach, no runarounds, and no red tape. The Speaker: Thank you. First supplemental. Mr. Quest: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

To the same minister: in light of the government’s diversification economic strategy, what are you doing to ensure that those that work in Alberta’s labour industry experience as little negative economic impact as possible during what are becoming very difficult times? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government of Alberta provides support to help employers and workers through these difficult times, including career counselling and resumé preparation.

We are working with underrepresented groups such as youth and aboriginal people to connect them to the workforce and ensure that they have the skills to stay gainfully employed. In January, for example, we joined the federal government and Women Building Futures to announce funding for their online learning initiative to

744 Alberta Hansard March 19, 2015 help train women in construction trades in all corners of this province. The Speaker: Final supplemental. Mr. Quest: Well, thanks, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister: what efforts, if any, will be taken to help companies avoid layoffs and to encourage continued labour investment here in Alberta? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Scott: Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. Although we are seeing some short -term declines in new job openings across multiple sectors, we expect Alberta’s labour market to remain strong in the years ahead.

Employers considering layoffs are encouraged to take advantage of the federal work -sharing program, designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when business activity decreases. We’re also working with employers to educate and train Alberta’s workers through programs such as the Canada -Alberta job grant, through which more than 490 Alberta employers and 3,450 employees have been approved for a variety of training programs. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Drumheller-Stettler, followed by Edmonton-South West. Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council Mr. Strankman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The former Minister of Service Alberta expanded the number of public board members at AMVIC and filled it with close friends. The present minister appears to be unaware of this. Take Andy Hayher; this member is clearly close to the former minister. On Twitter they bragged about selling memberships for this Premier. Minister, will you review the appointments at AMVIC and ensure these members are there because of qualifications and not connections? Mr. Khan: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for the question. What I want to assure you is that I have met with the AMVIC board.

I want to assure the hon. member that the members of this board add value to AMVIC. The members of this board are passionate Albertans who care deeply about our consumer protection agenda, and we’re very lucky to have these members onboard. Mr. Strankman: Interesting information, Mr. Speaker. Given that two other board members went to law school with the former minister and considering that they ar e personal friends, I continue to ask, Minister: are you ready to clean house and make merit-based appointments at AMVIC? Mr. Khan: As the hon. member alludes to, Mr.

Speaker, a number of members of the AMVIC board are lawyers. They’re professionals. They care passionately about the consumer protection agenda that we have in Service Alberta. I want to assure the hon. member that all of our members on that board are passionate Albertans who are doing a very good job. Mr. Strankman: Mr. Speaker, the minister is clearly not doing his job. He has a job to protect Alberta’s consumers, but he is only protecting PC friends. Minister, you keep hiding behind a draft report. This report will tell Albertans everything they need to know about this agency. You know the report is ready.

This House knows the report is ready. Will you do the right thing and release this report today? Mr. Khan: Mr. Speaker, again, this member has asked this question a number of times, and my answer remains consistent. We have a draft review. We’re working with the board on the draft review. Our intention is to make that report public, and we will in due course. 2:30 Support for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse Mr. Jeneroux: Mr.

Speaker, Edmonton’s Zebra Child Protection Centre, which serves a good portion of northern Alberta, is literally bursting at the seams, so much so that they’ve had to make a public appeal for $1 million so they are able to expand their space to properly serve the growing numbers of children needing their specialized help. My question is to the Minister of Human Services. What is this government doing to ensure that victims served by centres like Zebra are receiving the services they need and don’t have to resort to public appeals? The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Human Services. Mrs. Klimchuk: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. No child should ever have to suffer sexual abuse or exploitation. The Zebra Child Protection Centre does excellent work, and we provide service to a lot of children and families. Currently we are working on a proposal with the Sheldon Kennedy centre, the Caribou, and the Zebra to develop a provincial practice framework for this, and I can assure you that in this department about $26 million is spent every year to help these children and families. The Speaker: First supplemental. Mr. Jeneroux: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

To the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General: why is this government not adequately funding Zebra and any other community organizations like them who do the heavy lifting to protect our children? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Denis: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I echo the comments of the Minister of Human Services. One child being exploited or abused is obviously one too many. That’s why our ministry provides a three-year, $450,000 grant from the victims of crime fund to the Zebra centre. I’ve toured the Zebra centre.

They as well as the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre in Calgary do amazing work, and I think it’s a good use of the victims of crime fund. The Speaker: Final supplemental. Mr. Jeneroux: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again to the same minister: how are you working with the representatives of the centre to ensure that these victimized children are not further traumatized in our courts? Mr. Denis: Mr.

Speaker, both of these centres, particularly the Zebra centre, which the Member for Edmonton-South West talks about, provide very important work, but they also provide wraparound services in the context of the children’s age and the circumstances they may have. The Crown prosecution s ervice, the RCMP, the Edmonton police, the victim service providers: they all work together at this one place. It’s a one-stop shop. Again, not only is it a good use of our tax dollars; it supports victims first, which is part of Alberta Justice’s mission. The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview, followed by Calgary-Hawkwood.

March 19, 2015 Alberta Hansard 745 Electricity Prices Mr. Bilous: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. The deregulated electricity system in our province has resulted in a number of middlemen profiting off Albertans, causing retail prices to remain among the highest in the country. More than this, we’ve learned that some customers of Direct Energy have been receiving faulty bills for property they don’t even own or for entire apartment complexes. To the Min ister of Energy: will you admit that the deregulated system, that your government sponsored, has failed wildly in providing Albertans with affordable electricity?

Mr. Oberle: Not at all, Mr. Speaker, because it just simply isn’t true. In the time since deregulation, in which we introduced a private market for generation in this province, Alberta has built an infrastructure build as large as the province of Saskatchewan, all of it without one penny of public debt. British Columbia carries $20 billion; Ontario, $44 billion; Quebec, $54 billion in public debt; Alberta, zero. The Speaker: First supplemental. Mr. Bilous: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m talking about consumer debt.

Given that even the Premier himself admitted last October that we’ve been paying more than we should for electricity in our province and given that these unnecessary electricity retailers add costs to Albertans’ power bills, back to the same minister: will your government take action to save Albertans money on their electricity bills by removing these middlemen? Mr. Oberle: Mr. Speaker, the Premier said no such thing, as a matter of fact, last fall. What he did say is that he would look into the regulated r ate option to determine whether or not fluctuations were impacting consumers.

We did exactly that, and we’re moving to act on that right now. Mr. Bilous: Mr. Speaker, given that customers who have been locked into electricity contracts have not experienced the advantages that come with lower wholesale prices and given that some of the retailers have been investigated in other provinces for forging signatures on household utility contracts, when will this government finally do the right thing, re-regulate electricity in this province, and save Albertans money? Mr. Oberle: It’s just simply not going to happen, Mr. Speaker.

If the hon. member, rather than passing innuendo, has any evidence whatsoever of anybody forging signatures, I very highly recommend that he forward that to the police. Otherwise, the innuendo is not a useful part of the debate in this House. The Speaker: Thank you. The hon. Member for Calgary -Hawkwood, followed by Banff - Cochrane. Asia Pacific Trade Mr. Luan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Market access is crucial to the Alberta economy.

One of the new initiatives, called the trans - Pacific partnership, or TPP, led by the Prime Minister of Canada, promotes free trade among countries like Canada, China, Australia, Japan, and other Pacific nations. My question is to the hon. Associate Minister of Asia Pacific Relations. How are we working with the federal government to capture this opportunity and advance Albertans’ interests? The Speaker: The hon. associate minister. Ms Woo-Paw: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the member for the question.

Opening new markets for Alberta’s goods and services is the most pressing issue facing our province. The trans-Pacific partnership holds tremendous opportunity for Alberta, representing a market of 792 million people and a combined GDP of close to 40 per cent of the world’s economy. A strong working relationship with our federal counterparts is critical to our success internationally. I’m pleased to inform the member that since Canada entered into the TP P in 2012, Alberta has been invited to participate in 14 negotiating rounds to represent . . . The Speaker: Thank you. Let’s hear the first supplemental. Mr.

Luan: To the same minister: given that China is paramount to Alberta’s resources, however China is not part of the table for TPP, how is our government helping to resolve this? Ms Woo-Paw: Mr. Speaker, China’s fast-growing economy holds a lot of opportunity for this province. Our exports to China have more than tripled in the last decade, making it our second -largest trading partner, and 80 per cent of China’s investment in Canada, $54 billion, is in the province of Alberta.

Some of the examples of things that we’re doing in this area include the Ministry of IIR working with external stakeholders to of fer Alberta’s SMEs seminars to ensure that they have the competence to tap into this market. Our international offices are helping companies both ways, and we are also opening an office in Guangzhou, China, this year. The Speaker: Thank you. Mr. Luan: To the same minister: Alberta has the potential to export large quantities of agricultural products to Asia Pacific countries. What is our government doing to promote that? Ms Woo-Paw: Mr.

Speaker, like I said, a strong collaborative working relationship with our federal counterpart is critical. Some of the things that we’re doing in this regard include working together to eliminate tariff barriers that impact our agricultural sector and active participation in trade agreement development such as the recently i mplemented Canada-Korea trade agreement. That all helps to enhance exports and trade to this very dynamic, fast - growing region, in turn creating jobs and creating wealth for Albertans. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Banff-Cochrane, followed by Stony Plain.

Utilities Consumer Advocate Advisory Board Mr. Casey: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past week was the annual AAMD and C convention. This convention was a great opportunity for the provincial government to connect with our municipal partners. At this convention a number of municipal leaders brought forward concerns that this government is planning to dissolve the advisory board of the Utilities Consumer Advocate.

To the Minister of Service Alberta: after our municipal partners have expressed t heir concern with dissolving the UCA Advisory Board, does this government still intend to take away their only method for stakeholder input into the unregulated utility market? Mr. Khan: Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank the hon. member for the question. He’s absolutely correct. We did meet with a number of

746 Alberta Hansard March 19, 2015 stakeholders at the recent conference of the AAMD and C. We met with some partners from AUMA, and we met with some members of the board. Traditionally the UCA Advisory Board has played a role of policy and regulatory advisement. Recently they’ve developed into more of a stakeholder group working with the UCA, and because of that I’m very happy to say that we will not be dissolving the UCA Advisory Board. Mr.

Casey: To the same minister: if the UCA Advisory Board was established to provide advice to the advocate when the market was deregulated, what will be their role moving forward now that the advocate is established? Mr. Khan: Again, I’d like to thank the member for the question. That’s a very good question. I’ve recently had a number of discus- sions with the chair of the UCA Advisory Board as well as members of the board.

There’s a commitment to work with our department to develop a framework for that stakeholder engagement piece, which we all recognize is very important in the success of the UCA and their office. 2:40 Mr. Casey: To the same minister: if the advisory board is still required to ensure that stakeholders can bring their concerns forward, is the office of the UCA doing an effective job? Mr. Khan: Mr.

Speaker, I want to assure this hon. member and all members of the House that the UCA and his office are doing an outstanding job protecting consumers when it comes to issues around electricity and gas from a consumer perspective. I want to inform the House that last year the UCA received over 28,000 calls and has fielded almost 112,000 hits to their website. They do a remarkable job. We’re proud to support that office. The Speaker: Thank you. The time for question period has expired.

In 30 seconds from now we will continue with Members’ Statements, and we’ll start with Innisfail-Sylvan Lake. head: Members’ Statements (continued) The Speaker: The hon. Member for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, followed by Edmonton-McClung. Melinda Hunt Mrs. Towle: Thank you, M r. Speaker. Last Thursday our family received devastating news. We were shattered, we were broken, and over the weekend we took some time for togetherness. Today I want to tell you the story of Melinda Hunt. Melinda is a vibrant, smart, amazing 18-year-old, who our family loves and adores. She is my niece, and her dad, Ron, was my brother.

I felt strongly that I couldn’t do her justice today, so I’m going to tell her story in her own words. Last week my neurologist said: I’m sorry, Melinda; you have juvenile Huntington’s disease. Of course, I broke down, and my world shattered. Then he opened the other envelope and said: you have 63 CAG repeats. The juvenile version means that the symptoms of Huntington’s start earlier, and they’re more intense, and they progress much faster. I started to realize that I act exactly how my dad did when he was sick.

At work it was 10 times harder for me than it should be, my short -term memory was messing with me, and I was having intense troubles counting money, making change , or counting anything. I would stop what I was doing, and I would break down. My dad had a rare case of Huntington’s and had high CAG repeats also. It came with the label that he’s going to die young, and he did. My CAG repeats are higher. That means mine is worse than his. With such a high number of CAG repeats and the term juvenile Huntington’s, I’m terrified that my death isn’t far into my future. I’ll be 19 in three months.

I’ve just learned to live life as best I can. I love it and make the best of it, like my dad. I don’t hate my dad for giving me his disease. He’s my hero, and he always will be. However, that doesn’t mean my world isn’t shattered. I’ve never felt my heart sink so low into my chest. I haven’t cried so much since my dad passed, and I feel sick. Having them look at your face and tell you that you have Huntington’s disease and you’re going to die is paralyzing. Mr. Speaker, we have one job, and that is to live an extraordinary life.

We share this story with all Albertans to help bring awareness and some compassion to those with such rare diseases as Huntington’s. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-McClung. Seniors’ Supports Mr. Xiao: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government knows that Alberta’s seniors are an essential part of our communities, who need adequate programs to support their needs. Through their many sacrifices they have enriched our communities. Ensuring that our seniors are well cared for and well looked after is something I am deeply committed to.

Seniors make up 7 per cent of my wonderful constituency of Edmonton-McClung. Like all great societies, we as Albertans are only as good as those who have come before us. Because of all the hard work they have done to help build this great province that we know and love today, it is our obligation, Mr. Speaker, to ensure that seniors across our communities continue to have the support they need to live independent and fulfilling lives and that they are provided with the right care in the right place at the right time.

That is why the government of Alberta has been acting quickly to provide more spaces for seniors and to enhance the safety of seniors’ lodges and apartments across the province. Of the more than 26 new spaces almost 400 will be allocated for long-term care throughout the province and more than 300 for restorative care in Edmonton and Calgary. Supportive living provides a homelike setting where residents remain as independent as possible with access to services and care that meets their changing needs. Mr.

Speaker, I’m grateful that we have a government which has made seniors a priority not just through words but by action. Thank you. head: Introduction of Bills The Speaker: The hon. Member for Banff-Cochrane. Bill 21 Safety Codes Amendment Act, 2015 Mr. Casey: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise today to request leave to introduce Bill 21, the Safety Codes Amendment Act, 2015. The amendments will strengthen the administration, governance, and enforcement of the safety codes system throughout Alberta.

The purpose of Bill 21 is to ensure that Albertans continue to be safe no matter where they live, work, and play. I look forward to

March 19, 2015 Alberta Hansard 747 speaking more about the benefits of this legislation, and I’m confident that it will result in enhanced safety for Albertans. Thank you. [Motion carried; Bill 21 read a first time] The Speaker: The hon. Member for Whitecourt-Ste. Anne. Bill 205 Police (Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence) Amendment Act, 2015 Mr. VanderBurg: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very ple ased to rise this afternoon to introduce Bill 205, the Police (Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence) Amendment Act, 2015, on behalf of the hon. Member for Calgary-Currie.

This bill will allow the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General to make regul ations governing the procedures and processes for police services to follow in undertaking and managing investigations into sexual assaults. This will complement the work that’s being done by the Minister of Human Services and the Minister of Justice and S olicitor General. I invite you to join me in debating this important piece of legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Motion carried; Bill 205 read a first time] The Speaker: Thank you. Hon.

Government House Leader, were you trying to catch my eye with respect to Bill 21, as moved by the hon. Member for Banff- Cochrane? Mr. Denis: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for recognizing me. I would move that Bill 21 be added to Government Bills and Orders. [Motion carried] head: Tabling Returns and Reports The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary -Mountain View or someone on behalf of? Edmonton-Centre. Ms Blakeman: Yes. Thank you very much. I do have two tablings on behalf of the hon. member. These, of course, are related to the questions that he asked today.

The first is a book by Anne Geddes, Protecting Our Tomorrows: Portraits of – oh, I’m not going to get through this word properly. It’s portraits of children who have suffered from meningitis. I will table that. The second tabling on behalf of the Member for Calgary - Mountain View is the commentary by the C.D. Howe Institute, A Shot in the Arm: How to Improve Vaccination Policy in Canada. May I proceed with my own tablings, Mr. Speaker? The Speaker: Yes, please. Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much.

Earlier I had introduced the president and the chief executive officer of the Edmonton Social Planning Council, who are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year. I’m very honoured to be able to table the appropriate number of copies of their most recent report, which is entitled A Profile of Poverty in Edmonton. This is an absolute gold mine of information, and the one on my desk is well thumbed.

Just as an example, they talk about how the province and the region are producing a lot of jobs, but we still have over 59 per cent of Albertan children in poverty, living in families where one or both parents worked full - time for the entire year. There’s that and a number of other excellent observations and statistics complete with charts. I recommend that everyone take advantage of this report. Thank you very much. 2:50 The Speaker: Thank you. Are there others?

Seeing none, permit me, then, to rise and table today the requisite number of copies of the 2013 Legislative Assembly Office annual report, titled Respecting Our Past, Embracing Our Future. Thank you. head: Tablings to the Clerk The Clerk: I wish to advise the House that the following documents were deposited with the office of the Clerk. On behalf of the hon. Mr.

Campbell, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, pursuant to the Members of the Legislative Assembly Pension Plan Act the Members of the Legislative Assembly pension plan annual report for the year ended March 31, 2014; pursuant to the Insurance Act the Automobile Insurance Rate Board 2014 annual report. The Speaker: Thank you, hon. members. There are no points of order today. That’s a good sign of progress being made in a harmonious fashion. Therefore, let us move on. head: Orders of the Day head: Government Motions Committee Membership Changes 23. Mr. Denis moved:

Be it resolved that the following changes to (

a) the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services be approved: that Mr. McAllister replace Mr. McDonald; (

b) the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future be approved: that D r. Starke replace Mr. McDonald. The Speaker: Thank you. Hon. members, this is a debatable motion. Does anyone wish to rise? I see no one. Hon. Members: Question. The Speaker: The question has been called, so let us ask the Government House Leader if he wishes to close debate or go straight to the vote. Mr. Denis: I would move that we close debate on this controversial motion. [Government Motion 23 carried] head: Government Bills and Orders Committee of the Whole [Mrs. Jablonski in the chair] The Deputy Chair: Hon. members, I’d like to call the committee to order.

748 Alberta Hansard March 19, 2015 Bill 18 Appropriation (Interim Supply) Act, 2015 The Deputy Chair: Are there any comments, questions, or amend- ments to be offered with respect to this bill? The hon. Member for Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills. Mr. Saskiw: Thank you, Madam Chair. I wasn’t going to rise to speak to this particular bill at Committee of the Whole previously, but due to some of the responses earlier today in question period I think it’s imperative that we do discuss this.

In response to some questions from the Member for Livingstone- Macleod the Minister of Municipal Affairs had indicated that they were not certain that they were going to proceed with the fixing-up of the Kananaskis golf course. So she is now requesting sixteenish million dollars in the appropriation interim supply without knowing whether or not those dollars are going to be used. So my questio n here, of course, is: are you or are you not going to use these monies? If you’re not going to use these monies, let’s take it out of this bill. Clearly, it’s not a priority.

Wouldn’t it be the safe thing to do, to just take this out of the bill itself if you’re not going to use these? I mean, Madam Chair, like, there’s this massive inconsistency, and I think this is going to be the conclusion of it.

I think this issue is not going to go away because Albertans right now, when they’re going to hear about d oom and gloom and the budget and how terrible everything is, they’re going to at the same time say: well, why would you request upwards of tens of millions of dollars to fix a golf course if things are so bad, especially when the minister said that she wasn’t certain whether these monies were going to be used? I just want to know whether or not this government is actually going to proceed with that. Thank you, Madam Chair. The Deputy Chair: Thank you, hon. member. The hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs. Mrs.

McQueen: Well, thank you, Madam Chair. As I said during question period, there are concerns that we have about this. It is under review. If we don’t use it, we won’t spend it; it’ll be left in there. That’s very clear: if it’s not used, it will not be spent. The Deputy Chair: Thank you, hon. minister. Are there any others who wish to comment? The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. Ms Blakeman: Thanks very much, Madam Chair, for the opportunity to rise again and speak around the issues that are brought to the fore by Bill 18, the Appropriation (Interim Supply) Act, 2015. I did have some time to do some checking.

I was saying that previous versions of the interim supply had listed an end date of June. In fact, they hadn’t. They’ve always listed the end of the entire fiscal year that’s being addressed. So in this case they are talking about the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. The outline and promise or plan from the government has always been given orally that the money is to be used and a budget will be passed before the end of June. I, unfortunately, was not able to find in Hansard where the government has indicated that this time. So I don’t know if it’s the end of June. It might be the end of July.

I was also really interested that the Minister of Energy was so taken with my speeches on this particular subject that he wanted to hear more and even different versions. You know, honestly, Madam Chair, I am more than happy to give him a different version if I can have a different government that actually delivers information in a different way, in a way that actually gives information. I continue to be quite alarmed by the amount of information that this government won’t release. It won’t give us any kind of adequate information in budget documents.

The written questions and motions for return are delivered a year after the fact, after they’ve agreed to produce the information. For my purposes, receiving something in March 2015 that was agreed to in April 2014, you know, you figure that they sat on it that long deliberately. I mean, the press releases were press releases, for heaven’s sake. We could have had the background to this information pretty quickly, but the useful part of that was long past useful to me by the time I got the information. It’s a game that the government plays about what they’re doing.

I think for the public there is less and less patience for that hoarding of information because with the Internet, in this day and age, lots of people can get access. They can watch the live streaming. They can go back and see what people have said previously and how ministers are deflecting the questions. I think that’s a real issue. Of course, with interim supply, you know, every question we ask, the answer is: wait for the budget. So it’s a bit of a frustrating debate because we’re not given any information to go on, and then the government gets irritated when we stand up and say: there’s no information here.

So it’s a bit of a mutual-loathing loop, if I could put it that way. As well, the government has moved to this odd – I was going to say queer, but that’s not appropriate – system of the four different categories. No, I don’t have a problem with adding them all up. I just find it really interesting that the government itself can’t manage to do that in its own documents. They leave it for everyone to whip out their calculators and, I guess, do it while we’re standing here. 3:00 An Hon. Member: Where’s your calculator? Ms Blakeman: It’s on my computer, but I’ll get it for you if you really need it.

Of course, there have been a number of people that have noted the extra amount of money, quite a high amount of money, $28 million, that is being allocated to the Chief Electoral Officer . I’m less exercised about this than some of my opposition colleagues because I’ve seen this one come around before. They always have enough money for the full election in the third year of an election cycle, and frankly this is why: if the government goes early.

I’ve had one other election that was called early, by the then Premier Klein, who called one at three and a half years, but the rest of them were all around the four -year mark. It is extraordinary to have an election called almost three years to th e day from the last one. I think the 2012 election was April 22. The bookmakers are telling us April 27 this time, so, you know, five days’ difference. We’re looking forward to seeing the budget a week from now, and I really encourage the government to sh are some information.

Given the budget process that we now work under, when I talk to people about, you know, why it is important to have opposition, why opposition matters, I talk about holding the government accountable, but I’m also showing how the government has moved the measuring sticks. What are they called in football? There are two guys with chains, one on either end, and they move it along for the downs. Help me. I just don’t do the sports metaphors very well. Ms Pastoor: Linesmen. Ms Blakeman: Linesmen. Okay. So the linesmen. Thank you very much.

I’d like to see that move forward because we get so little time to debate this and almost no information to debate it with. I just don’t think it’s serving the government well or anybody else well when

March 19, 2015 Alberta Hansard 749 we have to plod our way through: “Okay. Well, what is this covering? How many employees are there? What happened to this program? Is that program still there?” It’s not hard to put that information in, and I don’t think anyone in the public would begrudge a couple of extra pages in the budget documents in order to have that information be made available to not only the opposition but, in fact, the public at large and business and everyone else that uses those books.

It’s just a little cheap, a little churlish of government to continually refuse to do this, and I just loathe that budget process. It is almost a waste of time at this point. We can get so little information, and we’ve got so little time to ask. I mean, honestly, 10 minutes allocated to discuss the budget of Health at $17 billion: you know, yeah, sure, that’s the worst example, but that’s one of almost every department I can think of where we’re trying to get information out of government ministers that should be easy to get. Unfortunately, it’s all devolved into a rather tawdry and sad situation now.

I hope that we can see some improvement, but you know, Madam Chair, I really don’t think we’re going to until the government gets such a scare that it will smarten up. We did see a bit of a scare when they thought the Wildrose was really going to cream them. All of a sudden there were better manners in the House and a bit more cordial reaction between people, a little bit more willing to co-operate, but after they ate most of the Wildrose, that disappeared, so I really don’t have very high expectations of this government. I’d love to be surprised, but I don’t have very high expectations.

You know, what am I supposed to say to this interim supply? Yeah – whoopee – we’re going to give a blank cheque to the government to spend billions of dollars without any idea about what they’re going to do with it? We, hopefully, are going to get a budget document next Thursday, but then I look at a number of other things that the Premier said were going to happen that didn’t happen, and I think: well, I guess that’s not for sure either because we could get to next Thursday and for whatever reason he’s decided not to put a budget down or lay a budget in front of us.

I just hope that those are a few of the promises that the government can keep, and I look forward to actually seeing the numbers that are supposed to be in the documents. Thanks very much, Madam Chair. The Deputy Chair: Thank you, hon. member. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview. Mr. Bilous: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. It’s my honour to rise and speak here in Committee of the Whole on Bill 18, the Appropriation (Interim Supply) Act, 2015. I’ve got a few different comments and concerns about this bill.

I will be supporting this bill because I do understand the intention and the necessity, so that the government can continue to provide services and meet its obligations from April until June. I do find it interesting, as the Member for Edmonton-Centre pointed out, that in previous years the interim supply has not been requested by government to go until June, which raises some eyebrows and confirms suspicions about, likely, a looming election.

Some of my concerns with the bill are because the spending is significant in certain areas, that I’m going to highlight momentarily, which causes concern if that is an indicator of the spending that the upcoming budget may look like. I mean, part of my concern – I’ll get right to it, Madam Chair – is the increase in spending in Culture and Tourism. If we look at what’s being requested in this bill, if that was to continue throughout the year, it would amount to a huge budget increase to Culture and Tourism.

Now, this budget increase would be positive in the increase to tourism for the province, the economic impacts. Obviously, we’re well aware that tourism is one of the significant contributors to revenue in the province and has a significant economic benefit to Alberta. But our hope and my hope, Madam Chair, is that if there is this significant increase, t here would be an increase to the funding of arts. We’ve been advocating for increased support to the arts for many years.

We know that the arts also have a significant economic impact and value to communities, both directly and indirectly, throughout the province. We have been advocates of increased funding for the Foundation for the Arts, more support for television and film production within the province, and supports for libraries, et cetera. So if investment in culture and in the arts is actually increased in this budget, that’s something that is very positive, in our view. A concern is that there is less capital investment in Health, Madam Chair. You know, we’ve been releasing and the hon.

Member for Edmonton-Strathcona especially has been releasing much information in the last few months on the state of Alberta hospitals and the need for more hospitals because of the growth that our province has been experiencing for some time and continues to experience. This week, for example, we released documents t hat show that only nine months into the 2014- 15 fiscal year 1,376 surgeries have been cancelled across the province because of capacity issues. That’s a grave concern to us.

The number of surgeries postponed at the Stollery children’s hospital has almost already doubled last year’s numbers, and we’re still in the first quarter. We released documents highlighting the number of times that the most overcapacity protocols have been activated, which is alarming. The highest risk level overcapacity protocol was triggered 43 times in September of last year in Calgary emergency rooms alone, including September 24, 2014, when every single one of Calgary’s ERs reported triggering high -risk overcapacity protocols.

In Edmonton emergency rooms in October 2014 overcapacity triggers were activated 344 times. We released documents on the need to expand the maternal child unit at the Northern Lights regional hospital, showing that this facility was already insufficient to deal with the current population of Fort McMurray, l et alone if the population increases, as is expected. 3:10 It’s also quite alarming, Madam Chair, when you look at the state of and the ability of our facilities to keep up, especially when you look at the growth within the province. I’d draw attention to Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie.

As far as the growth rates and their birth rates, Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie are the two fastest growing cities in the country. I mean, these are some examples of the serious need for more hospitals in this province , but from the indication in Bill 18 the capital investments in terms of interim estimates are not likely to reach the investment level that is desperately needed throughout the province. Now, Madam Chair, our hospitals don’t only have issues with overcapacity, but unfortunately they are in a very pitiful state as far as their integrity and structure.

You know, it’s evidenced here, clearly, that the PC government has squandered our resources and failed to invest in hospital infrastructure, which is very alarming. The Alberta NDP has released AHS preservation lists which show the projects that need to be completed to ensure our hospitals can continue to function. These lists show 37 incomplete projects, totalling $10 million, at the Chinook regional hospital and 16 overdue projects, totalling almost $5 million, at St. Michael’s health centre. For Calgary hospitals these lists outline $100 million worth

750 Alberta Hansard March 19, 2015 of overdue infrastructure maintenance projects in three major Calgary hospitals. On the 17th of March we released documents about the deferred maintenance at Edmonton area hospitals, and they outline $225 million needed for critical infrastructure projects, which include 10 fire safety upgrades, including sprinklers, fire alarms, and long - awaited lightning rods ; 11 unfunded asbestos abatements at the Royal Alex alone; multiple elevator replacements and upgrades; mould abatement at the Misericordia.

Clearly, we are in need of more investment in health infrastructure, definitely not less. Within the capital budget for Infrastructure we have schools, hospitals, among other things. Madam Chair, as I have travelled the province speaking especially with school boards from around the province, they are desperate for dollars for deferred maintenance.

You know, they’re getting to a point in their deferred maintenance price tag where schools are soon going to be in the category of being unsafe, or it is going to be unaffordable for school boards to do all the major infrastructure upgrades that are necessary just to keep the doors open. We’re not even talking about modernizations. Con- sidering there is such a shortage of school spaces, of classrooms, and of new schools, this is just going to exacerbate an already ballooning problem. Again, to jump back to our hospitals , there’s definitely a thread here going though all of our different infrastructure.

I mean, I could go on about bridges and roads as well, but when we look at hospitals, they’re already bursting at the seams, and there already is a shortage of beds. Again , it’s been pointed out by my colleagues that we need a serious investment. We needed it many years ago. If this bill is any indication of the dollars that are going to be injected into our health care system and our education system as far as infrastructure goes, we are really in a lot of trouble here, Madam Chair.

I just wanted to mention that on February 18 the Edmonton Catholic school board reported they were going to be spending $3.5 million for necessary infrastructure upgrades, money they could have otherwise spent or used directly on educating students. This PC government is forcing school boards to divert money away from the classroom, away from one -on-one instruction, away from educational assistance and supports needed in our schools to ensure that kids get the one -on-one support that they need.

They will be forced to divert money away from the classroom to spend on updates and on necessary infrastructure like ceiling repairs because this PC government continues to inadequately fund our education system, our schools, and is neglecting the urgency with which we need to invest in our schools and hospitals. Madam Chair, we have a document that was released to us through FOIP that outlines an $850 million deferred maintenance price tag for schools alone across the province. That is significant. That number is going to continue to increase and will balloon.

As that number increases and we fail to invest in the critical infrastructure that Albertans deserve and need, that price tag is going to be exacerb ated and grow very quickly as things like roof repairs lead to leaks, you know, and water damage within these very buildings and are going to be much more costly to repair than if they had been caught early on. Our roads and bridges are desperate for inve stment. The Association of Municipal Districts and Counties, AAMDC, estimates that $70 million a year for 10 years consistently is needed for bridges and bridge repair alone.

I mean, that is again something that is critical for trade and getting goods to m arket. Many of the roads and bridges throughout the province are used by the oil and gas industry, our forestry industry, our agricultural industry to move products to market. You know, when a bridge is forced to be shut down because of potential issues of safety, that has a huge economic impact on families and on the Alberta economy.

Failing to invest in infrastructure, which this PC government has done year after year, is not the solution and is going to have a very significant negative impact on the Alberta economy and on Alberta families. Madam Chair, the challenge is that a few years ago we had record-high prices for oil. We’ve had incredible resource wealth in this province, yet this PC government has managed to squander it all away and failed to invest in critical infrastructure and has left Albertans with a very serious infrastructure deficit.

So those are my concerns with this bill and with the indication that this government has given on how they’re going to fund things from our critical infrastru cture to our health care system to our schools. I do want to flag a couple of things, Madam Chair, in my last few seconds here.

The $28 million that is appropriated for the office of the Chief Electoral Officer: I find it quite rich that members opposite had stood up and spoken when the former Premier, three Premiers ago – we seem to be going through them very quickly – stood up and introduced a bill that would provide Albertans with a fixed election season. Now, the opposition pushed for an actual fixed e lection date. We didn’t quite get that far, but we had an election season.

Members opposite from the PC caucus stood up and spoke about how this would provide stability, how this would provide the opposition with the ability to plan for an election, that they’re not going to use their status as government to make a bunch of election promises prior to an election. Yet this seems to be going completely out the window. Clearly, this current Premier has no problem with going back on bills, and neither does his cabinet, clearly, who thought that this was a good idea and trumpeted the fact that this bill was being brought forward.

You know, I’m curious to hear an actual answer from a minister as far as how and why $28 million is being allocated right now for Elections Alberta if our election is not supposed to occur for another 12 months. 3:20 As well, I appreciate the fact that earlier today the Minister of Municipal Affairs talked about how the dollars allocated for the golf course would be under review.

I think many Albertans find it quite outrageous, you know, that critical infrastructure needs like a cancer institute in Calgary or, again, repairing the massive infrastructure deficit around the province, cutting down on wait times, et cetera, seem to be less i mportant than reconstructing a golf course and getting them up and going. Again, as other members have pointed out, there are still families devastated from the floods from years ago, that are waiting for remuneration, waiting to get back on their feet, ye t that seems to be less of a priority than building a golf course.

Madam Chair, we will be supporting this because of our understanding that this is necessary for programs and services to continue, but we do call into question some of the dollars being appropriated and what this means as this bill is a window into the budget for the rest of the 2015-16 fiscal year. Thank you, Madam Chair. The Deputy Chair: Thank you, hon. member. Are there any other members who wish to speak in Committee of the Whole on Bill 18? Are you ready for the question? Hon. Members: Question. [The clauses of Bill 18 agreed to] [Title and

preamble agreed to]

March 19, 2015 Alberta Hansard 751 The Deputy Chair: Shall the bill be reported? Are you agreed? Hon. Members: Agreed. The Deputy Chair: Opposed? That’s carried. The Government House Leader. Mr. Denis: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. At this time I would move that we rise and report. The Deputy Chair: Thank you. [Motion carried] [Mrs. Jablonski in the chair] The Acting Speaker: The hon. Member for Lethbridge-West. Mr. Weadick: Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Committee of the Whole has had under consideration certain bills. The committee reports the following bill: Bill 18. The Acting Speaker: Thank you.

Does the Assembly concur in the report? Hon. Members: Concur. The Acting Speaker: Opposed? So ordered. head: Government Bills and Orders Third Reading Bill 16 Statutes Amendment Act, 2015 The Acting Speaker: The hon. Member for Little Bow. Mr. Donovan: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

It is my pleasure today to rise and move third reading of Bill 16, the Statutes Amendment Act, 2015. [The Speaker in the chair] Just to recap, this act will amend the following pieces of legislation: the Provincial Court Act; the Court of Queen’s Bench Act; the Police Act; the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation Act; the Land Titles Act; and the Post -secondary Learning Act. These updates will ensure that provincial legislation is clear, consistent, and effective.

There will be no more amendments to this bill during Committee of the Whole, and I would like to thank all hon. members in this House for supporting it. The Provincial Court Act amendments. The three amendments to the Provincial Court Act will improve the civil procedure and other processes for the Provincial Court to clarify its jurisdiction. First, it’ll increase the maximum monetary jurisdiction that may be prescribed by the cabinet in civil matters in the Provincial Court from $50,000 to $100,000. The second will update the civil matters

section of the Provincial Court Act by repealing provisions governing civil procedure. The third provides a procedural found- ation for the court to stream disputed civil claims to the resolution track, which will be part of a pilot project in Edmonton and Calgary later this year. The Court of Queen’s Bench Act amendments will create a second Associate Chief Justice position to help the Court of Queen’s Bench deal with increasing case files and give the strategic leadership needed to effectively serve Albertans.

It also gives the Chief Justice the power to issue directives limited to the jurisdiction of masters, who are judicial officers appointed to the province, sitting on the Court of Queen’s Bench. The Police Act amendment, the next act, h as necessary changes to it for potential inconsistencies between the act and the police service regulation which have been identified. It is in regard to the definition of those who can be designated as presiding officers governing or disciplining the perf ormance of the detail of a police officer in the regulation. This proposed amendment will address a potential inconsistency.

In addition, there is another small amendment in the alignment of the legislation to require the police service and the police comm issions to notify the director of law enforcement about police complaints and how the complaint was addressed. Next is the amendment to the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation Act. The foundation was established in 1994 to develop act ivity partnerships in sports, recreation, active living, parks, and wildlife programs.

The amendment to the act officially changes the name of the foundation to the Alberta Sport Connection, which it has been operating under since 2013. It also includes provisions for the transfer of land previously owned by the foundation as it has not been actively engaged in the management of the lands donated to them or purchased since 2013. In the meantime the lands will continue to be managed by Culture and Tourism. Next, the amendments to the Land Titles Act. The Alberta land titles system and its supporting software are undergoing significant upgrades.

A key addition to the system will be the ability for groups of subscribers to submit documents to the land titles r egistry electronically with unique digital signatures. The amendments to this act are required to enable the use of these digital signatures. In addition, the amendments will prevent title insurance companies from making claims against the titles insurance fund, which is intended to compensate individuals where there’s a true loss suffered due to defect in title. Lastly, the amendment to the Post-secondary Learning Act shall be made.

It consists of the legal status of the board of governors for both Medicine Hat College and SAIT. They were established by an order in council in 1970 and 1982 respectively. A number of years later both of these orders were rescinded by new orders in council. In the interim it was a simple rescind, expiring the board appointments and appointing new members. In some cases, due to the drafting errors, the entire order in council was inadvertently rescinded. The errors were discovered, and the information was required in respect to the establishment of one of the institutes.

Alberta Justice and Solicitor General has reviewed the file and concluded that rescinding the orders in council left it unclear as to the status of the boards of SAIT and Medicine Hat College. Therefore, to ensure there’s no question about the legal establish - ment of these boards, a retroactive amendment is required. This amendment is a simple, straightforward way to clarify the legal establishment of the boards of the two southern Alberta institutes, and it will resolve unequivocally the peace of mind of the students’ facility and the instructors. In conclusion, Mr.

Speaker, Bill 16 was developed with input from a number of stakeholder groups, including the judiciary, Alberta legal communities, and the public and with the support of these amendments among these stakeholders. It reflects the work that we are doing here in government to ensure Alberta laws are clear and consistent and that the provincial legal system is kept up to date for everyone’s benefit. I want to thank everybody in the Legislature for review ing and considering Bill 16, and I ask for their support in third reading. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

752 Alberta Hansard March 19, 2015 The Speaker: Thank you. The hon. Government House Leader. Mr. Denis: Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I first wanted to thank this member for carrying his first bill in the Chamber. Secondly, I just wanted to mention a couple of other things. The addition of a second Associate Chief Justice in the Calgary area will have a significant impact on the operations of the Court of Queen’s Bench. I’ve had many meetings with judges in that regard, and I’m sure that they will be pleased that we are taking this step. I also just wanted to mention, Mr.

Speaker, that a lot of the work being done here in the Provincial Court of Alberta is actually groundbreaking in this entire country. We increased the limit of the Provincial Court from $25,000 to $50,000 effective August 1, 2014, which gives us the highest limit anywhere in Canad a with the exception of Quebec, which has a different legal system, of course. The new limit will allow the minister by way of order in council to go up to $100,000. 3:30 But perhaps most important, Mr. Speaker, is the bringing in of resolution tracks. What are resolution tracks?

Well, I don’t believe that anyone should have to have a lawyer to go and settle a small matter. Sixty per cent of the disputes that are in this level of court are small debts. They don’t require full trials. With the consent of some of the parties involved, you’re going to really speed up their access to justice and their experience with the system. I would fathom to say that more people will have experience with the Provincial Court than any other court in the province, and being able to address their concerns in a timely and efficient manner is going to speed up other levels of the court.

It’ll improve access to justice. As the Supreme Court of Canada has often said, justice can’t simply be done; it must be seen to be done. These people are going to see justice be done and leave with a better experience of our judicial system. Thank you. The Speaker: Thank you. Are there others? The hon. Member for Edmonton-Beverly - Clareview. Mr. Bilous: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to rise and speak to Bill 16, the Statutes Amendment Act, 2015. I think it’s important to point out at the start that, you know, when the PC government brings forward bills like this, there’s a real concern.

Again, it’s often put to us as: this is mostly housekeeping. But really we’re talking about omnibus bills that group together significant pieces of legislation that should be given their due course for debate in