Alberta Hansard — 14 April 2011, Afternoon sitting (13:30) (Legislature 27, Session 4)

20110414

Alberta — Debates (Hansard)

Province of Alberta The 27th Legislature Fourth Session Alberta Hansard Thursday, April 14, 2011 Issue 23 The Honourable Kenneth R. Kowalski, Speaker

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

April 14, 2011 Alberta Hansard 663 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Title: Thursday, April 14, 2011 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2011 [The Speaker in the chair] head: Prayers The Speaker: Good afternoon and welcome. Let us pray. Guide us all in our deliberations and debate that we may determine cours es of action which will be to the enduring benefit of our province of Alberta. Amen. Please be seated. head: Introduction of Guests The Speaker: The hon. President of the Treasury Board. Mr. Snelgrove: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On behalf of the Pre m- ier it’s a great privilege to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly some visitors today from Our Lady of the Angels school. There are 60 of them here. They are accomp a- nied by their teachers, their group leaders: Mrs. Erin Croft, Miss Nikki Doege, and Mr. Garry Kumpf. I want to say that they’re probably here today with a bus driver. As we are all aware of the conditions out on our roads and highways today, I think we also want to acknowledge the very important job these bus drivers do every day across Alberta.

They haul the most important cargo that moves every day. With that, I would like the students and teachers to rise and accept the traditional warm welcome of the House. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Drayton Valley-Calmar. Mrs. McQueen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is indeed my ple a- sure to welcome a wonderful group of students from Calmar school in my constituency of Drayton Valley -Calmar. These 31 bright grade 6 students along with seven parent helpers and two teachers, Mrs. Jeanette W ilson and Ms Kelsey Podgurny, are here and have toured the Legislature.

I would ask them all now to rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Lougheed. Mr. Rodney: Thank you very much, Mr. Spea ker. It’s truly an honour to rise today to introduce Dan Bartholomew Poyser and the Glenmore Christian Academy grade 9 band. They will be pe r- forming classical, jazz, pops, and traditional music right across Alberta and especially Edmonton in the next few d ays.

GCA is a Christian alternative school under the Palliser regional school division and is consistently recognized by the Fraser Institute as one of the top 4 per cent of elementary schools in Alberta. Next month they’ll be celebrating their 30th anniversary, and last month GCA students and staff shaved their heads to support young adult cancer survivors in their second annual Shave for the Brave event. A total of 52 shavers raised over $32,000, which was the most of any school in this country. Mr.

Speaker, our guests will be joining us in the middle of ques- tion period after their tour of the Legislature, and they will include Mrs. Brenda Rousseau and Mrs. Brenda Cameron. I ask and en- courage all members of this fine Assembly to offer GCA their very warm welcome at this time. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. Mr. Marz: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

It’s a pleasure for me today to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly a group of students from Kneehill Christian school, which is just outside of the thriving village of Linden, Alberta, which many of you know is very close to where I live. Accompa- nying them today are Miss Terri Miller, teacher, and parents Mr. and Mrs. Dalin Reimer, Mr. and Mrs. Darren Toews, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Barkman, and Mr. and Mrs. Galen Penner. They’re here today to tour this wonderful building and to learn much about the history of the province of Alberta.

I’d ask you all to give them the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly as they stand in the members’ gallery. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Children and Youth Services. Mrs. Fritz: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is an honour and a priv i- lege to introduce to you and through you to members of the Assembly two outstanding pediatricians from the medical co m- munity here in Edmonton who are leading the development of an innovative program called pediatrics for kids in care. Children and youth who are in child intervention will be quickly assessed and looked after by a team of pediatricians. We have Dr.

Tami Master- son, who championed PKIC here in Edmonton and recently opened a clinic at the Grey Nuns hospital, where her patients will only be our children in care. We also have Dr. Bob Moriartey, clinical p rofessor and director in the department of pediatrics at the University of Alberta. He is the lead pediatrician for the pr o- gram. I want you both to know how much we deeply appreciate what you have done for our children in care, and I ask that all members give them the warm welcome of the Assembly. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. Mr. Weadick: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. It is an honour and a privilege today to introduce to you and through you to the me m- bers of this Assembly members of the Alberta Research and Innovation Authority, or ARIA. ARIA members have come to Edmonton this week from around the world to discuss where r e- search and innovation in Alberta should go next. Yesterday morning they met with cabinet ministers to get their input and ideas on the subject, and I am pleased to introduce these qualified members of the ARIA board, leaders in their fields from around the world.

I’ll ask them to rise as I introduce them, and then we can give them the warm wel come of this Assembly. Seated in the members’ gallery this afternoon are Mr. Marvin Fritzler, chair of ARIA from Calgary; Oryssia Lennie, vice-chair of ARIA from Edmonton; Florence Gauzy-Krieger from Bavaria; Riikka Heiki n- heimo from Finland; Chris Henshall from England; Laura Kilcrease from Austin, Texas; Peter Nicholson from Ottawa and Austin, Texas; Peter Riddles from Australia; and Dr. Howard Tennant, all the way from Lethbridge. Thank you. head: Members’ Statements The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Mackay.

National Volunteer Week Ms Woo-Paw: Mr. Speaker, throughout the province in every community thousands of Albertans are volunteering their time to many worthwhile and necessary causes. The contributions of A l- berta’s volunteers are all around us . It’s there in the rinks and the

664 Alberta Hansard April 14, 2011 arenas and on the playing fields. It’s there in the schools and in the hospitals and seniors’ clubs. It’s in the excited laughter of a child who has learned a new skill and the applause of the audience at the musical perfo rmance. And it’s there in the selfless work of those in the nonprofit, voluntary sector as they deliver communi- ty-based programs valued at an estimated $9 billion, many to Alberta’s most vulnerable citizens. Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity that is open to all and something that almost anyone can do.

Volunteers are part of a family of individuals coming from diverse backgrounds and expe- riences but united by a common purpose, to build better communities and a better Alberta. I know that no one who v olunteers does so for recognition or praise, but it’s important that their contribution not be taken for granted.

This week is National Volunteer Week, a time to reco g- nize the innumerable contributions of volunteers and volunteering, a time to honour the m en, women, and young people who make it all happen in our communities, a time to make visible the often underrecognized yet indispensable role that volunteers play day in and day out. I would like to ask this Assembly for its unanimous support in recognizing April 10-16 as National Volunteer Week in Alberta.

I encourage all Albertans to thank the people who make a diffe r- ence in their communities and to use today as an opportunity to reflect on where we can make our contribution, where we can be the ones to make a difference and build a better Alberta. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-McCall. Sikh Community Generosity Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Millions of people around the world were horrified by last month’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

We watched in horror and sympathy as nature’s fury devastated entire towns, washing thousands of people out to sea and creating a nuclear crisis that continues to threaten countless lives. As the people of Japan bravely cope with the disaster, I’m proud to say that Albertans have stepped forward to help. The Sikh community has been particularly generous. On March 27 I attended a special event organized by the Punjabi Media Club with the co-operation of the Dashmesh Culture Center committee. It was the brainchild of Raj Brar.

At the temple they set up two tables with volunteers to collect funds for disaster relief in Japan. In less than five hours, Mr. Speaker, the congregation raised over $20,000 for the Red Cross. 1:40 Generosity is, of course, one of the foundations of the Sikh faith. Over the years Sikhs have given from the heart to many good causes all across Alberta, including women’s shelters, food banks, Tom Campbell’s park, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, the Child ren’s hospital in Calgary, and fundraising drives for people devastated by the disasters in Haiti and Kashmir. Mr.

Speaker, I offer my thanks to members of the Alberta Sikh community and, indeed, to Albertans from all communities who have donated so gener ously to so many worthy causes over the years. When disaster strikes, when people go hungry or lack health care, we all have an obligation to step up and do what we can to help our less -fortunate neighbours, whether they live close to home or on the other side of the world. We are all brothers and sisters, part of one big family, and I’m very proud of my fellow Albertans for opening their hearts and their wallets for the benefit of humanity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker: The hon. Member for Red Deer-South Inclusive Education Mr. Dallas: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The goal of an inclusive edu- cation system is to provide students with the most appropriate learning environments and opportunities for them to achieve their potential. In Alberta inclusion is about ensuring that each student belongs no matter their ability or disability, language, cultural back- ground, gender, or age. It’s about valuing all students the same way. Part of this shift requires us to rethink how teachers plan for student success.

A new digital resource, the inclusive education planning tool, focuses on helping teachers change their instruc- tional practice to better meet the diverse learning needs of all students. The new digital tool is currently being piloted in grade 1 to 9 classrooms in 16 schools across the province, including one in my constituency, Joseph Welsh elementary school. Joseph Welsh elementary is using this resource to support a planning process that incorporates most of the elements traditio n- ally found in the individ ual program plan. Teachers and parents have been encouraged by the new tool.

Individual student goals are replaced with supports and strategies that are matched to the student’s individualized strengths and needs. As implementation of action on inclusion moves forward, r e- quirements around special education will be revised. Feedback gathered from the pilot project will provide information that A l- berta Education will use to revise policies and requirements to better support an inclusive education system. In addition to broa- dening the current pilot to all school authorities during the 2011- 12 year, there will be further development of content for the IEPT.

I look forward to hearing more and learning how the tool will further enhance the supports teachers will be able to provide, pa r- ticularly in the Red Deer area. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for West Yellowhead. Land Reclamation Mr. Campbell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to rise today and discuss the success of various reclamation projects that are going on throughout our province.

Our government has ensured that there are strict requirements in place for reclamation, and the E n- vironmental Protection and Enhancement Act states that reclamation must return the specified land to equivalent land c a- pability. This has been the case with coal mines, where 75 per cent of land disturbed by coal mining has been reclaimed. The examples of reclamation of our coal mines are numerous.

For example, in the constituency of Drayton Valley -Calmar at the Genesee mine 600 hectares of agricultural land have been devel- oped, earning Capital Power and Sherritt Coal the 2009 Alberta Chamber of Resources major reclamation award. In my own ri d- ing of West Yellowhead at the Coal Valley mine sport -fishing lakes have been dev eloped, making the area a valued recreational destination. I could go on on numerous examples, Mr. Speaker, but I’d also like to discuss some of the success stories of the oil sands recl a- mation.

At the Kearl oil sands Imperial Oil has started an extensive reclamation project which will replenish the fish stock among other things, and Syncrude has begun reclamation of pond

April 14, 2011 Alberta Hansard 665 1, which was established in the 1960s. This pond will eventually be turned into a mixed-wood forest and wetland area. These are just so me of the many examples of reclamation projects that are under way in our province. These projects show that industry and this government are partnered and committed to ensuring that the footprint left by natural resource extraction is limited so that we a re leaving sustainable landscapes for future generations of Albertans. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Bow. DNA Day Ms DeLong: Thank you very much, Mr.

Speaker. In April 1953 James Watson and Francis Crick published what we know today as the double helix structure of DNA. This understanding of DNA resulted in further research and eventually to the human genome project in April 2003. Being such an influential month for the field of genomics, it’s only fitting that Albertan s celebrate DNA Day through Genome Alberta activities on April 15.

Thanks to the efforts of Genome Alberta, DNA Day will be a special day where students, teachers, and the public can join a variety of experts to learn more about genetics and genomics through an online forum hosted by G e- nome Alberta. The government of Alberta is a strong supporter of genomics research. Through our investments in Alberta Innovates: Bio Solu- tions we are exploring the applications of genomics in the agriculture, forestry, food, and health sectors.

We’re working with organizations like Genome Alberta and the Alberta Prion Research Institute to use genomics to develop stronger, more abundant crops such as flaxseed, to combat major issues such as BSE, and to find cures for crippling diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Genomics is an important platform that will play a critical role in the continued prosperity of the province in the same way that nanotechnology and information technology do today. These crit i- cal technologies set the stage for tomorrow’s competitive industries and products.

As Albertans recognize DNA Day, I’d like to recognize the hard work that scientists and researchers commit to the pursuit of e x- cellence in the field of genomics. I’d also like to congratul ate Genome Alberta on bringing DNA Day to Alberta. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Education Funding Ms Notley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government presented its Education budget this spring so that many people were led to believe it involved increases, but with time to look at the actual numbers, a much more troubling story is clear.

The real story is about cuts, cuts that will impact the education of children in A l- berta, and our children deserve better. Teachers are a part of the school system we know well, caring professionals who often pour lots of their own time and their r e- sources into their work above and beyond job requirements, yet we’re beginning to hear the first decisions from some school di s- tricts about the number of teachers that will have to be let go at the end of this year.

We can anticipate a stream of announcements over the next weeks that cut not only teachers but many other important staff, including aides, librarians, custodians, and more. It will be more difficult for individual children to have the attention they need to learn to their full potential. With crowded schools and fewer spe- cialized staff the gap between what children with special needs need and what they realistically will receive will grow even wider, and we will build on the record of fundamentally failing to pr o- vide for their education. There are other consequences, too.

We have heard from the Peace Wapiti school division that long hours for children on buses will increase even further, hours that affect learning success, health, and quality of life overall. We have seen schools close and programs close and the damages that t his causes to whole co m- munities. Reports of more closures are already beginning. School districts are pushed to consider troubling options such as the pr o- posal by Edmonton public schools to rent space in schools to a large for-profit child care corporation. We do not need to see such deterioration of our public schools.

We could easily ensure that Alberta had the revenue to provide our children with the best schooling anywhere in the world. That would be a proud legacy and a legacy that would be a strong foundation for the growth and prosperity and well-being of Albertans. The value of education is immense for individuals and societies. It is worse than careless of this government to try to create a myth of providing improved support for children and their schooling when actually shortchanging it. It is wrong. It is sacrificing smart, long-term building of a well-educated society that will make us competitive with . . .

The Speaker: The hon. Member for Little Bow. Campaign for Prostate Health Mr. McFarland: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak about a generous donation given to an Edmonton group in the continuing battle against prostate cancer. Approximately half of all Albertans will develop cancer in their lifetime. For men prostate cancer is the most frequent form of cancer and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Even though prostate cancer is a large risk, awareness of it is extremely low, and it’s talked about in whispers and sometimes even embarrassment.

Alberta needs a wake-up call, and at an event on Tuesday Pro s- tate Cancer Canada gave us just that. As part of their Wake Up Call national tour Prostate Cancer Canada donated $1 million to the campaign for prostate health, monies that were actually raised in Alberta. The campaign for prosta te health is made up of the University Hospital Foundation, the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, and the Alberta Cancer Foundation. It’s helping to develop a prostate cancer clinic here in Edmonton.

Prostate Ca n- cer Canada is a national foundation dedicated to the elimination of prostate cancer through research, education, support, and awar e- ness. 1:50 The prostate cancer clinic being developed as part of the E d- monton clinic will improve access for patients to health professionals focused on diagnosing, managing, and treating pro s- tate cancer. It will act as a one-stop centre offering support for patients and families to guide them through their individual trea t- ment plans.

The clinic, expected to open in 2013, will reduce wait times from diagnosis to treatment, which will increase survivabili- ty. As someone who has experienced this cancer, I encourage all men over 50 to get a regular PSA test. Thank you to Prostate Ca n- cer Canada for your generous donation to the campaign for prostate health in Alberta. Thank you.

666 Alberta Hansard April 14, 2011 head: Oral Question Period The Speaker: First Official Opposition main question. The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. Patient Advocacy by Physicians Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday Dr. Allan Gar- butt added his name to the growing list of people who have asked for a public inquiry into the culture of fear and intimidation this government perpetuates. Like others, Dr. Garbutt was told to stop advocating or he and his patients would, quote, suffer the cons e- quences, end quote. Intere stingly, Dr.

Garbutt chose to go public through the Official Opposition and the media, not the Health Quality Council. To the minister: given that doctors are raising their concerns publicly about the Tories’ bully tactics, will the minister admit that the Health Quality Council cannot guarantee legal protection to doctors who have been intimidated? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, I’ve answered this question n u- merous times. Perhaps the hon. member did not hear the answer, so I’ll give it again.

The Health Quality Council has embarked on an independent review with very capable, very qualified people involved in the review plus equally capable people, well - renowned and respected people, overseeing it in an advisory c a- pacity. As part of that, they also have as sured anyone who wants to come forward the full protection as given under the Alberta Evidence Act. Dr. Swann: Well, given that Dr.

Garbutt said that only a judicial inquiry will restore his confidence and that of thousands of other professionals in the ac countability of the health care system, how many more times does the minister need to hear this before he calls a public inquiry? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, everyone is entitled to their op i- nion, and I hope the hon. member will afford me mine. We’ve made it very clear here that the process that we’re following is with the Health Quality Council.

They’re doing an assurance qual- ity review of the very items that were asked in this House regarding the impact of wait times in emergency rooms, regarding access to cancer care, and regarding the issue of relationships with physicians. Nobody is championing that cause more than they are, but I want to add my championship to that as well because we’re encouraging doctors to speak out, and I’m glad that’s happening. Dr. Swann: Well, encouraging isn’t working because they know the truth, Mr. Minister.

Why is the minister more concerned about letting the scandal die than doing what is right and calling a public inquiry? What are you afraid of? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, I think the process is working very well, and nobody is asking for it to slow down. We’re simply saying that this review is just starting up, and let’s give it a chance to complete itself. There will be a report in three months, another one in six months , and in nine months we’ll have a report, I’m told, and we’ll have some recommendations on how to address and fix whatever problems are found.

The Speaker: Second Official Opposition main question. The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. Dr. Swann: Mr. Speaker, Alberta has the world’s finest front -line health care staff, yet under this government they suffer in a culture of fear and intimidation. Dr. Paul Parks again today with the AMA emergency medical

section supports the Health Quality Council on ER wait times and outcomes, not on issues of threat and int i- midation. The only solution, as Parks said, is for a public inquiry, quote, to ensure a similar culture of intimidation and punishment of patient advocates never occurs again. End quote. When wil l the minister listen to the thousands of doctors and others? Find your backbone, and call a public inquiry. Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, I met with Dr. Paul Parks and Dr. Sobeilman just a couple of nights ago.

We had a very thorough – let’s call it robust – discussion on emergency wait times, and even they acknowledged that significant improvements have been made. I’ll tell you where the improvements have been made. We’ve reduced the overall length of stay in emergency depar t- ments by as much as 50 per cent. That’s tremendously good news. We’ve also seen reductions of up to 60 per cent in the number of EIPs; to explain again, emergency in -patients. Those are two very significant improvements.

I’ve acknowledged that we need to do a little bit more on the four -hour and on the eight -hour, and we’re working on that as well. Dr. Swann: Divert. Deny. Given that it’s the front-line staff who demand a public inquiry, which friends and senior officials is this minister trying to protect? Who are you protecting, Mr. Minister? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, sometimes you have to protect people in this House from accusations just like that, and I’ll stand here and defend people who are after better health outcomes, which is what doctors are all pledged to do.

That’s why toda y Alberta Health Services invested an additional $190 million sp e- cifically for emergency departments, who will get $19 million of that, $15 million will go to the radiation therapy speed-ups that are needed, $46 million will go to reduce surgical wait time s in areas like cardiac and cancer surgery, and $110 million will go to r e- duce the number of patients who are in acute -care hospitals waiting for continuing care spaces. Tremendous use. Dr. Swann: Throwing money at the problem – I’m sorry, Mr. Minister – will not restore confidence in the system.

Given that the president of the ER docs says that the culture of intimidation has not changed in six years, when are you going to stop covering up this scandal? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, nobody is covering up anything. In fact, quite the opposite would be true. What we’re saying is that if you have an issue that you want to raise, please come forward. You’ll be given confidentiality protection, you’ll be given immun- ity protection, and you’ll be given full protect ion against any creation of any liability under the Alberta Evidence Act.

In fact, we’re doing exactly the opposite of what he’s accusing us of doing. The Speaker: Third Official Opposition main question. The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. Surgical Wait Times Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last month the Canadian Institute for Health Information released its annual province -by- province comparison of wait times for the procedures first mini s- ters agreed on in 2004 were highest priority. In a rac e to the bottom Alberta failed to achieve benchmark wait times for hip replacements, knee replacements, hip fracture repairs, cataract removals, and others.

To the minister: given that Health and Wel l-

April 14, 2011 Alberta Hansard 667 ness’s most recent annual report shows wait times for knee r e- placement surgeries actually increased last year to nearly double the benchmark, how does the minister intend to ensure Alberta’s national ranking won’t be equally abysmal next year? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr.

Speaker, there are areas where we’re seeing the n eed for more attention, and that’s one reason why the a n- nouncement that was just released by Alberta Health Services, the 190 million new dollars, cites $46 million more to reduce surgical wait times in key areas, including cardiac and cancer surgeries, hip and knee replacement surgeries, and cataracts. Progress is being made, more money is being put in there, more staff are be- ing hired and recruited to help, and more spaces are being made available for those important surgeries. Dr. Swann: Well, Mr.

Speaker, can the minister explain why we’ve had a 10 per cent decrease in the last two years in the pr o- portion of Alberta patients who receive cataract surgery within the recommended time frame? Mr. Zwozdesky: Well, Mr. Speaker, you know, it would be just wonderful if the hon. member would take a little bit of time to do a little bit more research because if he did look at cataract wait times in particular, for example, he would know that in addition to the over 30,000, 32,000 cataract surgeries we’re doing, we’ve just added another capacity to do 3,200 more.

That’s important be- cause I can tell you that in Edmonton as a result of these kinds of initiatives wait-list times have come down by 2,900 patients. In Calgary the wait -lists have come down by 2,200 patients. Tr e- mendous improvement. Really good news. Dr. Swann: Again to the minister: when will Alberta Health Se r- vices update its website and provide a current hospital -by-hospital breakdown of wait times for surgical procedures? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, that information is available. I believe they were talking about it yesterday and today, and that will come out in greater detail.

It’s part of what we talked about with Dr. Paul Parks and Dr. Sobeilman a coup le of days ago. It will be reported not only in aggregate but also by hospital, at least the major ones in Edmonton and Calgary as a start. That’s already under way. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Fish Creek. Patient Advocacy by Physicians (continued) Mrs. Forsyth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this week the health minister said that he only knew of one doctor who wanted a public inquiry. It’s disturbing that someone on Treasury Board just can’t seem to count.

In fact, six AMA sections, representing 2,500 doctors, have called for this inquiry, 2,499 more than the health minister’s estimate. Emergency medicine, addiction, anaes- thesia, internal medicine, pediatrics, and rural family medicine have all called for this inquiry. To the minister: with such a gro w- ing number of doctors asking for this inquiry, how many more will you ignore . . . 2:00 Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, I’m glad she asked the first part of this question because I don’t recall saying that he’s the only one I’ve heard of. I recall saying that Dr.

Garbutt’s letter was the first one I was familiar with in writing. Now, chances are there are others who are out there. I think I’ve already answered this many times. I could repeat it again. I could risk being called to order for repetitio n. People are quite, quite comfortable, I’m sure, with the Health Quality Cou n- cil’s approach. Let’s give them a chance. They have to be given an equal chance to do what they’ve set out to do. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mrs. Forsyth: Mr. Speaker, there are two worlds: his world and reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Given that the Health Quality Council simply can’t provide the level of legal protection our doctors want, something that has been pointed out to this government over and over, how much longer will the minister continue to use this excuse to not call a public inquiry? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, no one is using any excuses wha t- soever. If you’ll indulge me, I’m going to read the Alberta Evidence Act. It’s about 13 pages long. I’ll read the whole thing, if you’ll allow me. In particular, let me just quote

section 9(5): Neither (

a) the disclosure of any information or of any document or anything contained in a document, or the submission of any report, statement, memorandum or recommendation, to a q uality assurance committee for the purpose of its quality assurance activities, nor (

b) the disclosure of any information, or of any document or anything contained in a document, that arises out of the quality assurance activities of a quality assurance co mmit- tee, creates any liability on the part of the person . . . The Speaker: Minister, thank you very much. [interjections] The hon. Member for Calgary -Fish Creek . I hope you’ll be heard. Mrs. Forsyth: Well, what’s amazing to me, Mr. Speaker, is that he thinks this is funny.

Will the minister at least admit that the only reason he’s not calling a public inquiry is because it will confirm what we all know, that the government has used fear and intimidation to hide the truth about our health care system? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, I don’t know what the allegations were back in ’05, ’06, ’07, whenever that was. What I can tell you is what is going on today. Today there’s a much healthier relation- ship. As a result of the meeting with the Premier and myself on Friday, we’re going to strengthen that relationship with the AMA.

That’s why a news release was put out on Monday, and that’s why the president of the AMA put out a letter yesterday talking about strengthening the relationship between government and the AM A and, in turn, between AHS and the doctors serving in the system, and that will happen. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood. Electricity Prices Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday the Minister of Energy claimed that after a massive 62 per cent jump in April, power prices will go back to March’s level by next month. This claim is not supported by industry experts or by common sense.

Will t he Minister of Energy admit that his predi c- tions of a price decrease are based more on his fantasies than actual marketplace reality? Or does he just not understand the

668 Alberta Hansard April 14, 2011 unstable deregulated electricity market that he and his government have created? Mr. Liepert: Well, Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important to put this into context. In the month of February the annual retail price in the city of Edmonton was about 9 cents a kilowatt hour. That dropped to some 7 cents a kilowatt hour in March. It’s projected that it will be about 11 cents a kilowatt hour in the month of April. If you take it from the lowest number in March, yes, it may be a 60 per cent increase.

The Electric System Operator is projecting that for the month of May the average price per kilowatt ho ur will be back to the 6 or 7 cents. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Mason: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, given that independent analysts have forecasted a hike in the electricity rates by as much as 50 per cent over the next few years and given t hat this makes a joke out of this minister’s claim that prices will drop by 62 per cent next month, will this minister put his cabinet job on the line if at the end of this session power prices remain as high as they are? Mr. Liepert: Mr.

Speaker, I can on ly repeat what the history is and what the independent operator is projecting is going to be the price in the month of May. I guess if the price in the month of May is somewhere in the range of 6 or 7 cents, I’ll ask the me m- ber if he’ll be prepared to put his job on the line. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Mason: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, if he will put his job on the line, I will certainly put my position as critic on the line as well. The Speaker: I take it that was the question. [interjections] I take it that was the question. Mr. Mason: That was the . . . The Speaker: No.

There are no

preambles. I don’t know how you can do that. Mr. Liepert: Mr. Speaker, I think I heard the member say that if the price of electricity in the city of Edmonton averages 6 or 7 cents a kilowatt hour in the month of May, he’d be prepared to put his job on the line. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-McCall. Protection of Personal Information Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The sensitive private infor- mation of 7,000 Edmonton public school board employees has gone missing. The data was stored with no security protection on a memory stick.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner has said that the information should not even have been kept in the first place. To the Minister of Service Alberta: can the minister, who is responsible for privacy legislation in Alberta, tell us what action she has taken to actively promote the protection of personal information by school boards in the last year? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. Klimchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It should be noted that the Edmonton public school board is following the right procedure with respect to the loss of information by notifying the Privacy Commissioner and co-operating with the investigation. That’s the first step in this. They’ve let the affected employees know what’s missing and are providing them with other details on protecting themselves. The school board does have strong policies to protect private information, but sometimes errors do happen. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It should have been done before the information went missing.

Given that the mi nister disbanded the government’s access and privacy division, which was responsible for province -wide co m- pliance with privacy laws, for supporting the local public sector, can the minister explain who is supposed to do this now? Mrs. Klimchuk: Mr. Speaker, there are privacy commissioners in every government department. As well, Service Alberta offers all the school boards information on understanding their obligations with working with FOIP. Also, we have resources available on- line. It’s incumbent upon the school boards to do the right thing, and they are doing that right now.

The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the minister commit to collecting and reporting the cost to taxpayers of privacy breaches given that the Information and Privacy Commissioner has said that the privacy breaches are a big -ticket item for public bodies and that he will ask for an accounting of the costs of dealing with the breach? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. Klimchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that at the end of the day all of us need to be cautious when handling Albertans’ private information, especially with laptops and portable iPads and all of those things.

It’s just absolutely critical that Albertans pr o- tect themselves. The Edmonton public school board is checking into it, and we’ll continue to support them through Service Albe r- ta. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Cypress -Medicine Hat , fo l- lowed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. Disaster Recovery Program for Flood Damage Mr. Mitzel: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the M i- nister of Municipal Affairs. In my lifetime I don’t recall anything like this, at least not in this way.

Medicine Hat, Cypress county, and Forty Mile county are experiencing damages not only along the creeks but in all areas. They’re thankful for the disaster reco v- ery program of 2010. That really helped. Can people still get assistance under the existing disaster recovery program? Mr. Goudreau: Mr. Speaker, yesterday I travelled to Medicine Hat along with the Premier and the ministers of Environment and Agriculture to see the situation first-hand and assess what sort of assistance will be needed. Earlier this month, Mr.

Speaker, we authorized a $3 million disaster recovery program to help residents an d small businesses who experienced uninsurable losses from flooding between March 1 and 31. Now we recognize that new flood damage is occurring, and we’ll be working with the municipalities to assess that da m- age. The Speaker: The hon. member, please.

April 14, 2011 Alberta Hansard 669 Mr. Mitzel: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Given that there’s new damage to residen ces and small businesses in the areas I mentioned and there’s potential for more, Mr. Minister, will you create a disaster recovery program for them for 2011? Mr. Goudreau: Mr. Speaker, as this event is still under way, we’re working with the municipalities on a response presently and mitigation efforts.

Our efforts ar e focused on helping municipali- ties assist their residents and make sure that they’re safe, but once the threat is lowered, we’ll work with them again and consider any application for disaster assistance at that particular time. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Mitzel: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My second supplemental is to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Given that rural flooding is causing issues and with water standing on crop- land and pastureland, a lot of water, how will you be able to direct your programs to address this excess water?

For sure there is going to be a lot of land that will not be planted. The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Hayden: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. In fact, we did dep- loy the pumps that were requested by the municipalities for the water pumping in the area. We have also deployed all extra pumps that we have now to that area with the snow conditions that we’re seeing today. Fortunately, the agricultural communities in south- ern Alberta are very strong supporters of the insurance programs we have in Alberta; about 90 per cent of them insure. We’re watching it very closely and hope to be able to help this year.

The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Decore. 2:10 Abandoned Wells Ms Blakeman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Energy complained yesterday that these orphaned wells are decades old. Well, given that this government is also decades old, much of this that happened was under your watch. It is the height of hypocrisy for this government to say that polluters pay when we’re talking about orphan wells.

Almost nothing is required from industry to ensure that these wells are cleaned up, and the government has taken no steps to protect Albertans from the cost of future orphan wells. Back to the Minister of Energy: why hasn’t the government done anything to fix the backlog and stop it happening in the fu- ture? Mr. Liepert: Well, I think I answered yesterday, Mr. Speaker. The government has done a signif icant amount in the last few years to try and catch up on the backlog, and I did say that more needed to be done. But for this member to infer that somehow industry isn’t being assessed a fee, that’s incorrect.

In every appli- cation there is a portion of the fee that goes towards reclamation. As I said yesterday, we will conti nue to try and ensure that we get caught up on these wells. Ms Blakeman: Back to the same minister. It’s not just about get- ting caught up. It’s also about going forward. I mean, when wells continue to be drilled at such a rapid pace across this province, why does the government continue to ignore the need for a level of financial security, cash on the barrelhead, that is in line with the cost of reclamation? Mr. Liepert: Well, as I said yesterday, Mr.

Speaker, I think that that’s exactly where we are today. What we are faced with is at- tempting to ensure that a whole series of wells from decades ago that clearly fell behind in terms of reclamation – that’s where the catch-up is happening. I think th at the current model that’s in process for those wells that are drilled today and tomorrow is un- der control. The Speaker: The hon. member. Ms Blakeman: Thanks. Back to the same minister.

Given that when this question was asked of the Minister of Environment in 2009, the minister stated that the government recognized the in- dustry was not contributing enough to reclaim in any reasonable timeline and that the response was to inject 30 million taxpayer dollars to speed it up, just what the minister has been referencing, why has nothing been done to collect enough even today? The timelines are still years long. Mr. Liepert: Well, I come back to the fact, Mr.

Speaker, that the issue is around catching up on old wells, and I believe that the model that’s in place t oday is going to address this issue as we go forward. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Decore, followed by the hon. Member for Lethbridge-East. Pediatric Services for Children and Youth in Care Mrs. Sarich: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are many Albertans who don’t have access to a family doctor. The impact of this reali- ty must be particularly great for children and youth coming into this government’s care, many of whom have experienced the trauma of physical and emotional neglect and abuse.

My questions this afternoon are to the Minister of Children and Youth Services. How does your ministry ensure that children in your care receive the health care supports that they need? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. Fritz: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. The member is correct. Children coming into our care do have very complex needs, and we do need to have highly qualifi ed health professionals to look after them.

As I mentioned earlier, we have a new program here in Edmonton, pediatrics fo r kids in care, and that’s to help ensure that our vulnerable young people have a medical assessment and that they have supports, which is critical because those health supports will then assist with the care development plan for that child or youth and assist with their optimal health and well-being. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mrs. Sarich: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister: can you explain how this is different from the regular health care that is provided to children and youth when they come into care? Mrs.

Fritz: Well, Mr. Speaker, all children coming into care, as you know, must have a medical a ppointment within the first 12 days, but this is a very new progra m that is unique. It’s unique in that it benefits from the wisdom and the experience of very highly qualified pediatricians that are led by Dr. Masterson and Dr. Mo- riartey, whom I introduced to you earlier.

Their expertise is needed to care for our children and youth who have been abused or neglected, and I can also tell you that with that focus that they will have with that service, health issues are going to be diagnosed earlier, and treatment can begin much sooner. Thank you.

670 Alberta Hansard April 14, 2011 The Speaker: The hon. member. Mrs. Sarich: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister: given that there is collaboration, when can we anticipate this kind of collaboration being available province-wide? Mrs. Fritz: Well, Mr. Speaker, this initia tive is delivered in part- nership with Alberta Health Services and with community pediatrics. It does continue to gain momentum. I mentioned earlier Dr. Masterson’s clinic, that opened in April, and that is dedicated solely to the children in our care.

There are plans to have a pedia- trician available at the Edmont on Youth Emergency Shelter as well as new partnerships that are also in the works with dentists and pharmacists to help ensure that our children and youth in care have a full range of health services. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Lethbridge-East, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Ellerslie. Residential Building Inspections Ms Pastoor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to try this again today. The residential construction file shows a fragmented system scattered among Municipal Affairs, Service Alberta, and individu- al municipalities.

There are mandatory inspections that take place at each critical stage of construc tion and, in addition, an indepen- dent home inspection that buyers can have done. To the Minister of Municipal Affairs: will you admit that bringing the various elements of the residential cons truction file under the purview of one minister would result in a better co-ordinated and more effec- tive system for homeowners? Mr. Goudreau: Mr. Speaker, I think the system is reasonably clear.

For those who are purchasing an existing home or an older home, they depend on the home inspectors, and that falls under the Ministry of Service Alberta. For those who are looking at building new homes and need the services of building inspectors, or what we call our safety codes officers, then those individuals are under our responsibility. So on the new home side for the inspections that’s our responsibility. Ms Pastoor: Why are municipal building inspection reports for residential properties not available to the homebuyers, or are they required to use FOIP to get that information? Mr. Goudreau: Mr.

Speaker, the safety codes officers are usually mandated and operate through accredited municipalities, and those particular reports are there. They ’re certainly subject to FOIP leg- islation to make sure that pers onal information is protected, but you could certainly make those re quests to the municipalities. For those municipalities that are not accredited, then those reports are available through our ministry, through Municipal Affairs. The Speaker: The hon. member. Ms Pastoor: Thank you.

Given the failure of municipal building inspectors to identify structural problems in the Penhorwood con- dominium complex in Fort McMurray, how does this affect the accreditation of that department? Will it be necessary to check other projects built by that company or the same inspectors? Mr. Goudreau: Mr. Speaker, it’s very difficult for me to specu- late on what actually happene d in Fort McMurray. Those buildings are being assessed by professional engineers, as is ap- propriate, and because it’s subject to ongoing civil litigation, it’s difficult for me to provide further comments. The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Edmonton-Ellerslie, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Alberta Research and Innovation Authority Mr. Bhardwaj: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Alberta In- novates is often touted as bei ng a streamlined system, neatly divided into four focused but co-operative corporations, each with its own board, its own expertise, and its own plan for the future. It sounds very efficient. But then there is another layer: Alberta Re- search and Innovation Authority, ARIA, a group of international experts that advise government on research and innovation.

My questions are to the Minister of Advanced Education and Tech- nology. With four corporations and the ministry already at the job, why do we need advice from ARIA? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Weadick: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you’re aware, the government of Alberta is committed to making Alberta a lead- er in research and innovation, and to do that, we need to know what the world needs and what opportunities are out there.

ARIA provides a very needed service in that experts from around the world come and provide opportunity to give feedback on where the next areas of importance are and how we may connect into the important research and innovation areas around the world so that we can continue to enhance and develop our research capacity. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Bhardwaj: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My next question to the same minister: how are the members of ARIA selected given that there’s all kinds of talent out there? 2:20 The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Weadick: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Through a rigorous process the members were selected as experts and leaders from around the world in their various fields. We have people like Laura Kilcrease here from Austin, Texas, who is well known as a venture capitalist, has worked in that area for many, many years, and is the managing director of Triton Ventures. Dr. Peter Riddles has made broad contributions in life sciences in Australia, and Dr. Chris Henshall has worked at the University of York in England for many, many years and brings a wealth of experience. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Bhardwaj: Thank you very much, Mr.

Speaker, and thank you very much, Minister, for that answer. What has ARIA contri- buted to Alberta Innovates so far? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Weadick: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. The areas where they’ve brought significant assistance are in areas of advice around how we can continue to connect into the research and in- novation portfolios around the world.

Bringing technology to market is also going to be a critical piece if we are going to grow our knowledge economy, and members of this board have expe- rience at bringing technology to market and are going to help us in that very needed and important part of growing Alberta’s future economy. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona, fol- lowed by the hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity.

April 14, 2011 Alberta Hansard 671 Land-use Framework Ms Notley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Three years ago this gov- ernment comm itted to “greening our growth” by addressing competing land-use demands through a land-use framework by 2011. Instead, the deadline is here, the budget has been cut in half, and the minister is saying that the framework won’t be done until at least 2017. W ill the minister admit that this delay is a failure to prepare Alberta for healthy economic growth? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Knight: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I think that these things will fit together extremely well. In fact, the original concept of the land -use framework in the first place was not to stop development but to develop responsibly in the province of Alberta. That’ll be the focus of the land -use frameworks as we move them forward. What we have in place now is one draft plan that’s on the ground. We have the advice of another regional advi- sory council that we’re dealing with and, actually, very positive results from Albertans. This is about balancing the economy, the environment, and the social aspect . . . The Speaker: The hon. member.

Hon. member, you’ve been called. Ms Notley: Given that completion of the framework by 2017 would require the government to double t he pace of its current progress with half the resources and that, therefore, it’s very u n- likely, will the minister admit that the delay has nothing to do with more consultation and everything to do with the political decision to put land -use planning and e nvironmental protection onto the back burner once again? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Knight: Thank you very much. My stove only has a front burner, Mr. Speaker. I have no back burner.

So what I’m doing is exactly – exactly – what the people of Alberta would expect me to do, and we’re doing this in a very responsible manner. At the moment Albertans understand that governments as well as people and industry in the province have a bit of a constrained budget. We’re operating inside of that budget and w ill deliver these pr o- grams and plans, that are going to be very constructive for Albertans in the long run.

Ms Notley: Given that they’re going to be delivered at least five years late, probably much more so, and given that the Tories lost control of an ov erheated economy before the last recession and given that this hurt Albertans in their communities last time, why is this government resorting to the same Wild West gold rush approach to development that everyone knows doesn’t work? Mr. Knight: Mr. Speaker, again, one more time about this thing. What we’re dealing with right now is a situation where we have under the land-use framework seven regional plans in the province of Alberta based on watersheds.

With the resources that we have prudently applied to t his program, we have in front of us now a draft of the lower Athabasca regional plan, we have the advice from the South Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council, and we’re working towards the North Saskatchewan terms of refer- ence. They’ll all fall into place as we move through the program, and they will be in place by 2017. Workers’ Compensation Mr. Chase: Mr. Speaker, Alberta’s prosperity depends on its workforce, and Alberta workers depend on their government to ensure workplace safety and, in the case of injury, fair compens a- tion.

To the Minister of Employment and Immigration. The Workers’ Compensation Act is clear on providing benefits when the injury involves a total loss of sight, complete paralysis, and other similar kinds of disability. Can the minister explain the poli- cy on compensation for a disability that is less clear cut such as a work-related lung condition? Mr. Lukaszuk: Most definitely, Mr. Speaker.

If a worker is diag- nosed with a lung condition and it is determined that this condition is a result of employment activity, long -term impact of asbestosis, or another medical condition, the worker ’s lung capacity is as- sessed, and using bell tables or Alberta Medical Association guides, the percentage of disability is assessed, and the worker is paid out accordingly. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Chase: Thank you.

Can the minister explain the policy on compensation for a disability that does not result from an imm e- diate injury but emerges over time; for example, through long - term exposure to radiation or chemicals? Mr. Lukaszuk: Certainly, Mr. Speaker. A worker who presents herself in front of the WCB usually presents herself as a result of a report being filed by a medical doctor.

If there is consensus in the medical community that the medical condition that the worker exhibits is as a result of any type of employment-related activity, a claim is accepted, and the worker is compensated accordingly for the loss or percentage of loss of health. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Chase: Thank you.

Given that a comprehensive workers’ compensation program is fundamental to a strong workforce and a competitive economy, will the minister commit to reviewing the Workers’ Compensation Act and the WCB’s policies on adjudica- tion of claims so as to ensure fairness in compensating workers for work-related permanent disability? Mr. Lukaszuk: Mr. Speaker, the member asked me two questions on how claims are adjudicated. I told him so. He hasn’t identified an area where the unfairness may exist.

If he finds an area within the act, policies, and/or regulations where there is unfairness, please bring it forward to me, and I’ll gladly take a look at it. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Drayton Valley -Calmar, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-Glenmore. Compensation for Mineral Rights in Parks Mrs. McQueen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Supreme Court of Canada back in 1985 decided that when the B.C. government ca n- celled mineral rights in Wells Gray provincial park, the holders of those rights were entitled to compensation but not for loss of op- portunity or loss of profits.

My question is to the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development. What does the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in B.C. versus Tener mean for the creation of conservation areas in the lower Athabasca region? Mr. Knight: Well, Mr. Speaker, this information, of course, was kind of originally brought to us by the opposition. They weren’t

672 Alberta Hansard April 14, 2011 quite sure what this was all about, so I thought I should perhaps inform the House. The information that we have is that in the B.C. versus Tener case, from 1985, the Supreme Court found that mi n- eral interests had been expropriated in the course of the creation of a new provincial park. The case involved freehold mineral rights, and it is not completely clear how it would apply to other types of interests. We only have a draft regional plan at this point. There will be discussion around what tenure, if any, might be repatriated. The Speaker: Let’s be careful about legal

interpretation. This is about the fourth question today that wanted legal

interpretation. The hon. member. Mrs. McQueen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question to the same minister: what kind of consents will be affected by the conservation areas? Mr. Knight: Mr. Speaker, again, we usu ally kind of think of the situation in the oil sands as the energy region and the oil sands only in Athabasca, but in fact the region has a very diverse eco n- omy, and the proposed conservation areas could potentially affect leases for forestry and metallic and industrial minerals.

Compe n- sation provisions laid out in the relative legislation – for example, the Mines and Minerals Act or the Forests Act – support that the regional planning being done will make sure that there is clear and concise compensation. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary -Glenmore, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-East. Lower Athabasca Regional Plan Mr. Hinman: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Last night the Minis- ter of SRD stated that $1.9 million was spent on the lower Athabasca regional plan, but whenever we’ve asked, the gover n- ment refuses to say what the economic costs to the government or the leaseholders will be if the government rescinds the leases of these companies affected by the draft plan. To the minister of finance. So that Albertans can give informed feedback, what is the actual land-sales revenue that the province received from the sale of these leases that are now proposed to be rescinded? Mr. Snelgrove: Mr.

Speaker, there is a document in front of the Alberta public right now that is a proposed land -use framework for the area, and no decisions have been made as to the exact loca- tion or size or substance of the conservation areas. We are working very closely with all the parties, be it lumber, be it oil, be it municipality, to work together to collectively develop the right balance. 2:30 Mr. Hinman: Nice dodge.

To the Energy minister: given that you’ve expressed faith that technological advances in reclamation efforts will enable oil sands extraction in the future with a minimal footprint, do you really support breaking contracts and declaring billions of barrels of Alberta oil off limits forever? Mr. Liepert: Well, the facts are that we have some 170 billion barrels of proven reserves in northeastern Alberta. The draft plan, that lays out conservation areas, allows us to develop 170 billion barrels of proven reserves, Mr. Speaker, so I’m not sure what the member is referring to relative to contracts. Mr.

Hinman: Given that the Energy minister claims that this is an inconsequential government draft, that is ridiculous when the fact is that in a short time this will be the government plan. It’s clear that the only draft is between this . . . The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Liepert: Mr. Speaker, I’m very happy to answer the question. As has been pointed out many times in this House, we have a draft plan, that’s out for consultation. In discussions with industry that I’ve had since the draft plan was released, it has been very well received.

There’s a recognition that we have to have a balance between conservation and industrial development, and I think we’ve achieved that balance, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary -East, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. Forest Grove Care Centre Roof Collapse Mr. Amery: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday just before 1 p.m., while residents of the Forest Grove nursing home gathered to have lunch, the facility’s roof caved in on dozens of them.

Luckily no one was hurt thanks to the heroic, fast -thinking, well- trained staff, who were able to evacuate the dining area and get the residents back safely to their rooms. Could the Minister of Health and Wellness update the House, the residents, and their loved ones on the situation at the Forest Grove nursing home? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Zwozdesky: Thank you very much. I want to thank this member for immediately bringing this to my attention yesterday so that immediate action could be taken. As he has said, the i m- portant thing right now is that no one was injured.

There are 245 residents there, a number of staff. Immediate action was taken. The building is not ours, Mr. Speaker. Nonetheless, an inspection has been done, and it is deemed safe to occupy again. Only one area was affected, fortunately. That was the dining room area, where some repairs were occurring. But everybody is okay. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Amery: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister: are there any contingency plans in place in th e event that residents find themselves in a similar situation and are required to be ev a- cuated? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, the short answer is yes.

There are contingency plans of all sorts, including plans for emergency pr e- paredness, including plans for e mergency evacuation should that become necessary. Those plans are there. They are in place b e- cause safety is a number one concern. Should the action have to be taken, I can assure the hon. member and the residents there that it will be. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Amery: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My third question is to the hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Since many of these seniors’ homes are aging and in need of repair and ongoing maintenance, does your department have any monitoring mechanism in place to make sure that these places are safe for residents? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Goudreau: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, am very grateful that nobody was seriously injured in yesterday’s incident. I need to remind all members that Alberta has strong building and safety

April 14, 2011 Alberta Hansard 673 codes in place to protect all Albertans. In this particular case the city of Calgary is an accredited municipality, and they will do a follow-up on the actual event. Our building codes apply to new buildings, and our codes are still very, very strong and very appl i- cable and okay in this particular situation. Compensation for Soft-tissue Injuries Mr. MacDonald: The government has quietly extended the insur- ance regulations setting the soft -tissue injury cap until 2016, with little consultation or evaluation on the outcomes for victims of traffic accidents.

The cap now sits at over $4,500 and is a blunt instrument that doesn’t take into account, unfortunately, individual circumstances. To the minister of finance: will the government conduct a true review in public of the soft -tissue injury cap to ensure justice for victims is occurring? Mr. Snelgrove: Mr. Speaker, that statement is not only not true; it doesn’t represent what Albertans have been telling us. We have done extensive review. We have been all the way to the Supreme Court, which said that it is not only legal, but it is in the public interest. It has saved Alberta motorists $1.2 billion in premiums.

It has hurried up, has actually accelerated the opportunity for people in automobile accidents to receive treatment. It is working very well for them medically, and it’s working very well financially, and it has been consulted on widely across Alberta. It’s not very well liked by the criminal trial defence lawyers. Mr. MacDonald: Mr.

Speaker, given that the citizens and the innocent victims of traffic accidents know that this government looks after the insurance industry, not their interests, will the m i- nister now gather statistics on the adequacy of the soft -tissue injury cap in allowing victims, innocent victims of traffic acc i- dents, full and complete recovery from their injuries? When he gathers these statistics, will he present them to the public through the House? Mr. Snelgrove: Mr. Speaker, the insurance industry i s governed by the insurance board and the insurance superintendent.

I had the privilege of meeting with him a few weeks ago. The data that surrounds the entire issue regarding soft -tissue injury – the recov- ery times, the back -to-work times – have very, ver y definitely supported the policy that the government made around the legisl a- tion. That information will be made available if the hon. member even wanted to go into the report, and certainly he could ask our office for it. Mr. MacDonald: I will certainly a sk your office for it, and I a p- preciate that, hon. minister.

Now, given that the injuries from soft -tissue damage can be life altering, does the minister guarantee that the insurance cap as it exists today ensures justice for traffic accident victims? Mr. Snelgrove: Mr. Speaker, there has always been a difficult balance between paying for pain and suffering and soft -tissue injury and injuries that may stay with people for a lifetime. I’m not suggesting for a minute that there aren’t whiplash and others that can, but on balance we have to take medical advice overtop of legal fees.

The medical advice is that people who receive timely treatment get better faster, and that’s what we’re trying to achieve with this regulation, and it has done that. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Little Bow, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Riverview. Highway 529 Mr. McFarland: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My constituency o f- fice has received literally hundreds of concerns over a number of years about highway 529, a highway that services Little Bow pr o- vincial park, the Southern Alberta Bible Camp, and the Little Bow Resort. The west half is paved, and the east half is still gravel.

To the Minister of Transportation: what improvements are being planned for secondary highway 529? Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, I’m very aware of this member’s concerns with this highway. The oil industry is very busy in that area and has heavy use of that highway. But I have some great news for the hon. member and his constituents for all of the hard work he’s been doing for his constituents. We are doing an ove r- lay this year on the paved portion of this highway from Champion to Little Bow provincial park access. Mr. McFarland: Well, thanks for the good news, Mr. Speaker.

While the east half is still under gravel, are there any plans to do anything other than put down a little bit of dust control? Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, I’ve got more great news for this hon. member. We’re going to convert that gravel part that he’s talked about to pavement this year. That means that by this fall you’ll be able to drive on a fully paved highway on 529 from Champion junction to highway 845. That’s 20 kilometres worth of brand new pavement. I would say that that’s far beyond dust con- trol. That’s going to be a great highway. Mr. McFarland: I know you’re jealous, Mr.

Speaker, but what will happen to the department’s priorities if this continued adverse weather goes on throughout the summer? Mr. Ouellette: Well, Mr. Speaker, every year my department sets a construction schedule, partly based on what we actually can get done in a year. Our contracts are structured to accommodate a certain amount of bad weather days, and very few projects fail to get done due to weather. I know things look pretty bleak out there today, but I’m very confident that things will turn nice and that we will get a construction season. The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Edmonton-Riverview. 2:40 High-speed Rail Station Dr. Taft: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. To that same minister. The go v- ernment’s announcement of a new location for a high-speed rail terminal in Edmonton caught just about everybody by surprise. Given that the government had already bought and paid for a di f- ferent downtown site for the station, has the government done any technical or financial or engineering studies on the suitability of the new site? Mr. Ouellette: Not at this time, Mr. Speaker, although on that new site we’re on a right -of-way that is owned by rail today.

CP rail or CN, one of the two, goes into that site. I believe that having two options within the city is great for all Albertans, and I do think that as soon as time permits, we will be do ing some work on the viability, as he says. Dr. Taft: Given that it’s better to study first and buy second, I would have thought you’d have done it differently. Given that the new site announced last week requires a 20 - kilometre detour to the east before trains can turn south to Calgary and given that high-speed rail can cost tens of millions of dollars

674 Alberta Hansard April 14, 2011 per kilometre, how much more will the line cost to this station compared to the line that would have come over the High Level Bridge? Mr. Ouellette: Well, Mr. Speaker, this hon. member seems to always have a little trouble deciphering things, I find, in this House. I do believe that that site is already there for something else, and it’s great that we have the opportunity to possibly put high-speed rail into it when we feel the time is right to move ahead with that. Dr. Taft: Well, then, perhaps the minister can help me decipher. Is it actually the case, Mr.

Minister, that you don’t have a clue whether this new location is going to cost tens of millions of dol- lars more in high -speed rail construction than the site you already own? Mr. Ouellette: Absolutely not, Mr. Speaker. He’s absolutely wrong. I’m today not at the point to know the exact price of one or the other. I just know that it’s a great option for Al bertans that we will be able to move there at some point in time. The Speaker: Hon. members, that concludes the Oral Question Period for today and this week. Nineteen members were reco g- nized today. There were 112 questions and responses.

We’ll continue the Routine in 15 seconds from now. head: Notices of Motions Mr. Renner: Mr. Speaker, I rise pursuant to Standing Order 34(3.1) to advise the House that on Monday, April 18, 2011, M o- tion for a Return 11 will be dealt with. head: Tabling Returns and Reports The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Health and Wellness. Mr. Zwozdesky: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to provide and table the requisite number of copies of the 2010 annual report from the Alberta College of Medical Diagnos- tic and Therap eutic Technologists.

It’s all about being committed to improving patient care, according to its title. Secondly, I’d also like to table copies of the Crowsnest Pass Herald from which I quoted yesterday, where Dr. Garbutt had said how pleased he was with some of the actions being taken recently, last fall by Alberta Health Services. That’s October 5, 2010. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Employment and Immigr a- tion. Mr. Lukaszuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

A pleasure to table the requisite number of copies of a report of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, to which now Alberta and Canada are signatories, dealing with occupational health and saf e- ty. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Cypress-Medicine Hat. Mr. Mitzel: Thank you, Mr. Speaker . I’m pleased to rise today and present the appropriate number of copies of a petition with 95 names. It urges the government of Alberta to “conduct a full fe a- sibility study of the Meridian Dam.” Mr. Speaker, my second tabling is as chair of the Standing Committee of Leg. Offices and in accordance with

section 19(5) of the Auditor General Act. I would like to table five copies of a report by the Auditor General entitled Report of the Auditor Ge n- eral of Alberta, April 2011. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Lethbridge-East. Ms Pastoor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to table on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition documents which quote Dr. Paul Parks calling for a public judicial inquiry in order to protect doctors who have the backbone to speak out.

My second tabling is the requisite five copies of letters from citizens in Lethbridge who are concerned for youth who may not receive the help they need to turn their lives around because of the devastating 40 per cent funding cut to 5th on 5th Youth Serv ices programs. They are Geoff Doeve, Robin Ray, Brenda Bryant, Theresa Lowe, Alix Kampen, Jeff Meadows, Jennifer Rogan, Bruce McKillop, Brittany Sumbalisty, Jeffrey Coffman, Margaret McKillop, A. Oishi, and Laura Nugent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity. Mr. Chase: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My first tabling is an e -mail from Deborah Clarke to the Minister of Employment and Imm i- gration in which she adamantly affirms the Alberta Liberal position that before importing tem porary American workers, this government should make every effort to employ, first, qualified Albertans and, secondly, qualified Canadians. My second set of tablings, Mr.

Speaker, concerning the clear - cutting that is about to soon begin in the Castle -Crown, comes from Juell DeSpain, Terri Miller, Rose Ogorzaly, Russell Blalack, Rosemary Cyr, Marjorie Olsen, Ed Baxter, Krista Murphy, Gr a- ham Smith, Ian McGrath, Allan Stein, Patti Kemp, Gail Jordan, Marleen Paulus, Anne Streeter, Jason Uttley, Pamela Wilkey, Bob Hearns, Tony Little, Linda French, Cathi Basler, Mary Alice Madden, Lynette Dumont, Matthew Herman, and Robert Cerello. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Dr. Taft: Mr.

Speaker, I rise today to table the appropriate num- ber of copies of a program from a very spec ial event held in Edmonton last evening. Last night the Rotary clubs of the capital region hosted the 14th annual integrity awards. Twelve non- Rotarians were recognized for their commitment and contributions to their communities in our province. There are some recipients of particular note to this Assembly, including Muriel Abdurahman, a former member of this Assembly, who was recognized by the Sherwood Park Centennial club, and Jason Stoltz, recognized by the Rotary Club of Edmonton Gateway. We probably al l know Mr.

Stoltz in our role as MLAs because he’s the executive director of the Forum for Young Albertans, which is under way here at the Legislature this week. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Ms Notley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table the appr o- priate number of copies of an e -mail I received from Paul Gibson, who says he has been diagnosed with severe chronic depression, severe chronic panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Mr. Gibson writes to expres s significant concerns about the treat- ment that he received recently in an emergency department.

He went there for help and was unable to find support or treatment for his particular illnesses. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Fort McMurray -Wood Buffalo.

April 14, 2011 Alberta Hansard 675 Mr. Boutilier: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s my ple a- sure to table the requisite number of copies of a letter from the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo council expressing their concern with the almost half a million dollars that are going to be lost to the extra $15 that Service Alberta is intending to charge municipalities without any notice. head: Tablings to the Clerk The Clerk: I wish to advise the House that the following doc u- ments were deposited with the office of the Clerk. On behalf of Dr. Sherman, hon. Member for Edmonton- Meadowlark, an Alber- ta Doctors’ Digest

article dated March -April 2011 entitled Stephen Duckett, Reflections on 20 or So Eventful Months; a Calgary Herald

article reprint dated October 22, 2010, entitled MDs Warn of ER Failure, Clear Out Beds or Emergency Will “Collapse,” Province Told; an Edmonton Journal

article reprint dated January 8, 2007, entitled Capital Health Vows to Clean up Accounting, Auditor General’s Tongue-lashing over Padded Costs Sparks Change. 2:50 head: Projected Government Business The Speaker: The Official Opposition House Leader, please. Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much. At this point I would ask, given our Standing Order 7(6), if the G overnment House Leader would share with the Assembly the projected government business for the week commencing the 18th of April. The Speaker: The hon. Government House Leader. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Of course, on Monday the 18th it’s private members’ business. On Tuesday the 19th in the afternoon in Committee of Supply all members will want to be present for the estimates of the D e- partment of Education, I’m sure, and then as per the Order Paper. On Wednesday the 20th in the afternoon in Com mittee of Supply the estimates of the Department of Infrastructure and as per the Order Paper. In the evening, as was filed with the est i- mates schedule, the Committee of Supply will meet to vote the main estimates.

That meeting, for the reference of member s, is at 7:30 rather than the start time of the policy field committees that members have been used to. Presuming the passage of Gover n- ment Motion 13 this afternoon and for clarification for members, once the Committee of Supply rises and reports, we would antic- ipate debate of Government Motion 12 and Bill 11, the Livestock Industry Diversification Amendment Act, 2011, for second rea d- ing.

On Thursday the 21st for second reading in the afternoon Bill 16, the Energy Statutes Amendment Act, 2011; in Committee of the Whole Bill 5, Notice to the Attorney General Act; Bill 6, Rules of Court Statutes Amendment Act, 2011; Bill 12, Alberta Investment Management Corporation Amendment Act, 2011; Bill 14, Wills and Succession Amendment Act, 2011; and as per the Order Paper. head: Orders of the Day head: Government Motions Evening Sittings 13. Mr. Hancock moved:

Be it resolved that pursuant to Standing Order 4(1) com- mencing Wednesday April 20, 2011, following the vote on main estimates and the report from Committee of Supply, the Assembly shall meet for consideration of government business and thereafter shall meet on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings for the remainder of the 2011 spring sitting unless on motion by the Government House Leader made before 6 p.m., w hich may be made orally and without notice, the Assembly is adjourned to the following sitting day. The Speaker: The hon. Government House Leader. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The first purpose of the motion is to clarify so that there’s no misunde rstanding that on Wednesday the 20th, once the Committee of Supply rises, it is in the House, and the House would be available to sit that evening. I just wanted to ensure that there was no misunderstanding about that. Then, of course, it’s to deal with government business in the following weeks now that we approach the end of the estimates process. [Government Motion 13 carried] head: Government Bills and Orders Second Reading Bill 12 Alberta Investment Management Corporation Amendment Act, 2011 [Adjourned debate March 15: Mr.

Dallas] The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Riverview. Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a privilege once again to rise to debate Bill 12, the Alberta Investment Management Corpo- ration Amendment Act, 2011. I think it’s worth putting this piece of legislation in some context. I assume all members of this A s- sembly are aware of the role of AIMCo, but I’m not sure that all people listening to this debate from homes and offices and so on will be familiar with it.

AIMCo was es tablished under legislation to manage a vast amount of public money on behalf of the various stakeholders, actually, some of it being managed on behalf of the government of Alberta and the citizens of Alberta and some of it being managed on behalf of various pension funds and others. [The Deputy Speaker in the chair] That organization, AIMCo, has been in place now for perhaps three years, two years maybe, and I think is still in some ways becoming entrenched or established in their role and still working on how to best manage funds in relation, for example, to pension groups and others.

It’s still a bit of a growing process. Part of that growing process is the need to tune up the founding legislation. I think that’s what this amounts to, Mr. Speaker. My understanding of the bill is that it basically clarifies some of the structure of the corporation. It’s an attempt to remove a little bit of ambiguity that might have been in the original legislation. When I look at the bill, which, I might note, is really q uite brief, it seems to particularly focus on the roles and responsibilities of the directors and officers of AIMCo.

I won’t stretch this out at great length because I know the Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar has comments he wants to bring forward on this pi ece of legislation, so there’s no need to overdo the repetition on this. I do think that it’s vitally important in this day and age, partic u- larly with developments in the financial sector since AIMCo was established, that we ensure that the legislation gu iding and con-

676 Alberta Hansard April 14, 2011 trolling AIMCo is to the highest standards. We have witnessed enormous scandal in the financial sector around the world in the last two or three years, and we need to make sure that the legisl a- tion of this House is at or very near the leading edge of legislation anywhere. If there’s one anything that we’ve learned in Canada from the financial meltdown in the last two or three years, it is the importance of good regulation and the value of good government.

Now, we have some members of this Asse mbly and one of the opposition parties in particular that often take a role or view that, basically, government is a last resort. In fact, that’s a phrase I’ve read written by a member of the Wildrose Alliance. Government should be a last resort. Well, our view in the Alberta Liberal ca u- cus, Mr. Speaker, is that governments should be the first resort in some situations. Those situations might range from building roads or schools or hospitals. They also include managing the financial sector.

It may be that the biggest reason Canada didn’t fall deeply into financial crisis and into problems of mass unemployment and bankruptcy and all kinds of issues in the last three years is that we have had a relatively well -regulated financial sector. If you co m- pare the performance of the financial sector in Canada with that in the United States or that in Britain or much of Europe or much of the rest of the world, we can see how important it is for us to be vigilant and to be good regulators and to be arm’s length and to avoid things like conflicts of interest and to ensure appropriate disclosure.

That brings me directly back to Bill 12, Mr. Speaker, which takes some brief but, I hope, important steps in that direction. It increases or clarifies the responsibility of the directors and officers of AIMCo. I think that’s crucial because, frankly, it seems to me that within the first year or less of AIMCo being founded, there was some controversy in the financial and energy sectors over an investment that AIMCo made in a very p rominent drilling compa- ny.

I don’t need to name the company here in the Assembly, but there was a lot of controversy around that. 3:00 Now, the debate at the time was over the fairness of the inves t- ment and whether or not the investment was made properly and following due process. The point that I think we need to dwell on is that it may very well have been made following due process, but what we have to make sure is that it is not only made following due process but that it is seen to be made following due process.

That’s the kind of difference that makes sure that the public can have real confidence in an organization like AIMCo, and I think Bill 12 might help clarify some of the confusion that led to co n- troversies such as the one I just referred to. Mr. Speaker, with those comments I will take my seat and listen with rapt interest to the comments of any of my colleagues in this Assembly. Thank you. The Deputy Speaker: Any other hon. member wishing to speak on the bill? The hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. Mr. MacDonald: Yes, if you don’t mind, Mr. Speaker.

Certainly, Bill 12, the Alberta Investment Management Corporation Amend- ment Act, 2011, warrants a lot of interest and scrutiny by members of this Assembly. Hopefully, it will have the scrutiny and the i n- terest of members. Bill 12, as we have been told and our research indicates, adds the requirement that the directors and officers act honestly and in good faith. One can only hope that that’s being done now.

When you look at AIMCo, the fact is that we have over $71 billion worth of assets in one investment pool, everything from pensions to the Alberta heritage savings trust fund through to ot h- er funds that the government holds, including one or two endowment funds. You look at the board of directors – I have the annual report here, Mr. Speaker – and we have the former chief executive officer and chairman of the board of the Toronto- Dominion Bank; we have the president and CEO of G. Capital Inc., Mr. George Gosbee; we have some fine corporate leaders from across this country; we have Daryl Katz from Edmonton here.

We have 10 members on the board. I was surprised when I asked in the House here earlier in the session, Mr. Speaker, if perhaps we should have as a represent a- tive, or maybe more than one, on the board of directors of AIMCo some individuals who at some point in time, if not already, are drawing pensions from the pools that are being collectively i n- vested by this board. [interjection] That’s true, but I think to have them directly on the board would be prudent.

For some reason whenever this board was set up, individuals such as those that may be or are collecting a LAPP pension, the local authorities pension plan, are not on there. I think, certainly, they should be, but they’re not. I got sort of a brusque or a brazen answer from the minister of finance, and life went on. But when you look at AIMCo – and I would encourage all members to look at the 2009- 10 annual report and see for themselves – I can’t un- derstand why we would be reluctant to put r epresentatives from the pensions that are invested in this pool on the board.

Now, we’re talking about the directors and officers acting in good faith, and we’re hoping that this bill will clarify the gover n- ment’s ownership structure of the corporation to remove any ambiguous language around directors’ conflicts of interest. We’re also looking at other amendments to make sure that AIMCo must act in the best interests of its clients when delivering their inves t- ment management services. Speaking of investme nt management services, this is an issue that the government goes to all the time whenever we compare internal and external costs for assets under management.

It’s quite interesting to compare those costs. We had a discussion on this at the Heritage Savings Trust Fund Committee quarterly meeting the other day. I asked questions on this matter in the fall session, and I came to the conclusion that the minister of finance at the time wasn’t up to speed on the file because it was the most confusing of answers. Whenever we look at the costs externally for assets under man- agement, they’re totally out of control. Totally out of control. The assets that were managed externally, Mr.

Speaker, lost $542 mi l- lion in value, but of course we see performance fees for thes e losses of $25 million, other investment costs for this pool of cash, which was in value over $12 billion, that were $126 million. It was interesting to hear that: oh, well, we’re going to get these costs under control, and isn’t this wonderful? My questi on, which went unanswered, was: who was responsible for this? Who was responsible for setting up these deals where, regardless of whether any value was created, these costs were incurred?

That’s why Bill 12 as we know it would be an excellent bill if we wi ll be able to get to the bottom of this. Now, a constituent came into the office last Friday, as a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, and talked about AIMCo. This gentleman was an accountant by profession but retired. He asked me if AIMCo, of all organizations, was going to be investing in the new arena in Edmonton. I was quite taken aback by that question from the constituent. He’s got every right to direct that question my way, as far as I can see.

He had read in our householder that I had sat on the Heritage Savings Trust Fund Committee, and it was a valid question. I said: no, I don’t think so, but Mr. Katz, of course, is on the board, and I don’t think that is anything that’s been di s-

April 14, 2011 Alberta Hansard 677 cussed. Certainly, it hasn’t been discussed, to my knowledge, in this House, Mr. Speaker. So that would be an example of an i n- vestment that AIMCo possibly, potentially could make. They invested recently in a 3P freeway – I believe you could describe it as that – in Chile. Chile is a rapidly developing country with a lot of resou rces that the rest of the world wants and is will- ing to pay a good price for, so maybe that road is a good investment. We will see through the course of time.

The governance of AIMCo is very, very important, and that’s why we need to have a close look at what is going on with this bill. The motivation behind turning AIMCo into a Crown corpor a- tion was supposedly to remove the politics from investment decisions. If investing in an oil company, for example, makes sense from an investment management perspectiv e, it should not be impacted by politics. AIMCo’s mandate is to maximize returns for pension plans and endowment funds and not to worry about the political leanings of the day. 3:10 Now, there should be some caution in fully supporting this bill.

I haven’t had a chance to go through the Auditor General’s report, that was tabled here this afternoon, for April 2011, but certainly the office of the Auditor General has highlighted several concerns with AIMCo in the past. While it is desirable to have AIMCo as an arm’s-length organization, again I would urge this House to consider putting some individuals that have an interest through their future pension income on the board. I see absolutely nothing the matter with that. It’s not unusual. It’s not an unreasonab le request.

But until the concerns raised by the office of the Auditor General have been sufficiently addressed, the government should not entirely set AIMCo free, so to speak. The minister of finance is ultimately responsible for the pension and endowment funds under management; thus, the minister of finance should ensure that AIMCo is functioning properly. AIMCo now has, certainly, a number of issues. We all know that we don’t have effective whi s- tle-blower legislation in this province, Mr. Speaker.

Now, if members want to refer to the annual report for 2009- 10 of the AIMCo board, or the AIMCo corporation, whatever you want to call it, whatever you’re familiar with, you can easily see or follow what I am saying here. When AIMCo was set up, of course, we had a lot of trouble in the world financial market. In fact, there was a meltdown of historic proportions, or of historic record, in the fall of 2008. At that time there were significant wr i- tedowns of $2 billion to $3 billion in paper losses in public and private investments within AIMCo.

AIMCo has always operated at arm’s length from the government following the creation of it by a former minister. I believe I can name him because he’s no longer a member: Dr. Oberg. I think he was responsible for bring- ing this forward. We heard the arguments of what was going on in British Columbia and that it would certainly work as well in A l- berta. Since its creation, AIMCo has delivered minimum value-added to the investment pool. While this is going on, AIMCo has intr o- duced what some people would call a Wall Street style investments compensation structure.

This structure rewards un- derperformance with multimillion -dollar bonuses presided over huge budget increases at the expense of taxpayers and pension members in this prov ince. I don’t have the confidence. Perhaps I will over time. I realize that the corporation was set up at a very difficult time in our international financial history, but we have to be careful here.

Now, AIMCo introduced this Wall Street style, as they c all it, compensation structure at the same time that such compensations were coming under intense worldwide scrutiny by everyone, from the governments that bailed out some of these enterprises to the taxpayers that were footing the bill and, in some cases, homeown- ers and pensioners. While it is true, in my view, that compensation levels are comparable to those of the largest Canadian pension plans, AIMCo’s incentive structure differs in that it is set up so as to grant these million -dollar payments even in the absence of real value-added, Mr. Speaker.

Specifically, whenever we look at the 2008 writedowns with the $2 billion to $3 billion in mark -to- market paper losses incurred in the calendar year 2008, it’s impor- tant that we remember that it’s calendar year s, not fiscal years here. Now, in 2008 it was implied that there would be $2 billion to $3 billion of mark -to-market paper gains in subsequent years irres- pective of any value-added activity by management. Indeed, over $1 billion in gains were recognized i n calendar year 2009 and, my research indicates, over $500 million in calendar year 2010.

Now, there was a stretched value-added target of $500 million given for calendar year 2009 and for calendar year 2010 in full expectation of exceeding the target due to the forthcoming mark - to-market recoveries on the legacy assets. The Deputy Speaker: Standing Order 29(2)(a). The hon. Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations. Ms Evans: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. A couple of re f- erence points in the discussion this afternoon, which I have followed with considerable interest.

I hope that the Member for Edmonton-Riverview hasn’t been too disappointed by some of the observations of his colleague from Edmonton-Gold Bar relative to this bill. Quite fr ankly, the content in Bill 12, that we’re exami n- ing today, and the improvements really do not in any way impinge upon some future amendments that could be contemplated.

But the Minister of Finance and Enterprise, now the minister of Tre a- sury and Finance and Enterprise, has been quite right not to add an additional opportunity, if you will, for people who are members of the public service, both serving on AIMCo as well as our gover n- ment appointing those members to pension boards. I think that the duality of that role might be wrong. Let’s not lose sight of what AIMCo was constructed for. It was a construct made to be at arm’s length from government to earn as much revenue as possible in the best interests of the taxpayers of Alberta.

The shareholders of Albe rta want more money out of it. There are other avenues for people who are recipients of pension funds to be a part of that, but the primary purpose for AIMCo is to divest it of some of the bureaucratic impositions that might have been in place in the past to manage the funds, with the hope that we could gain even more. By the member’s own acknowledg e- ment there has been a stellar performance of AIMCo in 2010, and I want to just make that point. The Member for Edmonton -Riverview made the point that the directors not only have do what’s right and prudent but appear to do so.

I remember clearly the investment in the company that was contemplated and was done, in fact, without consultation with the political process, and by the acknowledgment of Edmonton-Gold Bar that’s exactly what should be done. The uniqueness of that investment in that particular company was that it was done at a time when AIMCo in the past had not been investing many of its dollars in Alberta -based companies.

But this particular investment, which has proven to be extremely satisfactory and extremely wise because it has benefited the people of Alberta – it’s gained very strong financial returns – was an opportunity not only to invest in the very best province and in a company in the very best province but to in fact illustrate where this could be something that could be contemplated.

678 Alberta Hansard April 14, 2011 We’ve gone all the way from a situation where Norwegian funds, the sovereign wealth fund, has chosen not to invest within its country, but in Alberta the delinea tion of AIMCo gave an op- portunity to look at that through the eyes of the directors. What is our responsibility here for the directors? To appoint the very best and to make sure that they act in a prudent fashion.

The wording in this assures that and talks about the responsibility of the indi- vidual and the compliance of that individual in the conduct that they’re imported to have and follows through with that. 3:20 One small, additional comment I should make is that I, too, have not had a long and extensiv e review of the newly tabled A u- ditor General’s report. Much to my belief, from page 101 in the April 2011 report of the Auditor General, tabled today, the out- standing things that have been contemplated are primarily centred in AIMCo around the technology a nd the importance of getting that technology right.

That has been worked on not only by AI M- Co but by Finance and Enterprise so that the management controls are in place. It was always understood that that would take a period of time because there are many shared swap agreements. Managing those and managing the financial reporting requirements are, I think, being prudently done. The quote in the report is, “The following [management] recommendations are outstanding and are not yet ready for follow-up audits.” So the AG has mentioned that.

If I might just say, I think we’ve heard a lot on this bill, but I’m assured, at least, that the Member for Edmonton-Riverview states that he would support it. I would hope that the rest of the Asse m- bly would similarly support this bill and get on with it. The Deputy Speaker: We have 27 seconds for Standing Order 29(2)(a). Mr. MacDonald: For a question, please. The Deputy Speaker: Go ahead. Mr. MacDonald: I have a question, and certainly I have more than 27 seconds. Correct? The Deputy Speaker: Sixteen seconds now. Mr. MacDonald: Was that a speech or a question? Ms Blakeman: That was a question to you. Mr.

MacDonald: That was a question to me? How would I know that, Mr. Speaker? The Deputy Speaker: Now we get back to the bill. Any hon. member wish to speak on the bill? The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Ms Notley: Thank you. It is also a pleasure to rise and speak to Bill 12, the Alberta Investment Ma nagement Corporation Amendment Act, 2011. My comments will be quite brief. I’ve just been scanning the piece of legislation right now, attempting to get a sense of the purpose of this legislation.

I think, just as sort of an overarching statement, my under standing is that when AIMCo was first established, in 2007, it was the position of the NDP ca u- cus at that time that we were not necessarily in support of imposing this governance model upon the management function of these important public dollars. We were concerned at the time that there were certain key elements of the work of AIMCo over which the government must have continued accountability. One of the areas, for example, was the issue of executive co m- pensation.

For instance, in 2008-09 I believe the five top executive positions received a total of $5.3 million in compensation. I be- lieve that was at a time when AIMCo had actually suffered some very significant losses, but I stand to be corrected on the timing of that. Again, in 2010 we see that these positions received $2.7 mi l- lion in compensation. The concern at the time was that in certain areas around accoun- tability we were losing control. Certainly, that was one area, and we see that this bill does not address that area in any way.

I remain concerned about the application of different sets of rules to these staff at AIMCo. Having said that, this particular bill seems most focused on redefining a little bit the goals and the purpose of AIMCo, in particular focusing on the objectives of the board to act in the best interests of the designated entities. Of course, there is sound reason for establishing that objective. Absolutely. These are important funds, and we want to ensure that these funds grow in the way that is best for Albertans, so I’m not unaware of the arguments around establishing that particular priority.

However, in doing that, we also see the deletion of the current

section which requires the board to consider whether in the exercise of a power in the best interests of the corporation the Crown or the director or an agent of the corporation has to have due regard to the interests of the Crown in doing that. It seems to me what we’re doing is that we are making it very clear or we are limiting the degree to which AIMCo has to have due regard to the interests of the Crown. Again, I’m just flipping through this bill right now trying to get a sense of this, and if I’m wrong, I look forward to being corrected in subsequent bill debate on this.

I’m concerned, then, for those obvious cases where you can see the interests of the designated entities coming into conflict with the interests of the Crown and how that might be resolved. Of course, the quintessential example of that, which I think there has been discussion on with respect to AIMCo in the past, is the pra c- tice of investing in the tobacco industry. It’s very clear that it’s not in the interests of the Crown to promote the tobacco industry be- cause, of course, of the cost to the public purse in health care costs that have been clearly associat ed with the tobacco industry.

That actually has a negative impact on the interests of the Crown as it relates to expenditure on health care costs, et cetera. [The Speaker in the chair] On the flip side it may well be something that is in the best interests of an investor because we know that tobacco companies are awfully good at making money. That’s kind of an example of the conflict. I’m curious about the impact of these changes in terms of redefining the primary objectives of the AIMCo board and the corporation. What is the outcome of those changes on that kind of scenario?

I think that we need to ensure that there is some political responsibility. These are public funds, and I think the public wants to know that we’re not going to be investing in, you know, companies that, say, engage in activities in developing countries which would be subject to international criminal invest i- gation, for instance. I mean, there’s a whole long list of activities that one would be concerned about. Essentially, we’re talking about different levels of ethical investment.

I suppose that at the end of the day, when you look even speci f- ically at the interests of the Crown, you have to consider how these things impact back on the government as a whole. I would be looking to see what kind of explanation would come from the sponsor of this bill with respect to what the implications are for this change on these kinds of concerns and discussions, which have taken place in this House in the past.

April 14, 2011 Alberta Hansard 679 With those brief comments I will take my seat, and I look for- ward to receiving more information as the bill debate progresses. Thank you. The Speaker: Hon. members, Standing Order 29(2)(

a) is avail a- ble. Are there additional speakers? The hon. Member for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo. Mr. Boutilier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to just fol- low up. The hon. member made reference to executive com - pensation relative to the amendment on Bill 12. She did reference the fact that, I believe, there were five executives on the AIMCo board that, I t hink, received executive compensation of something like $5 million. I just wanted to clarify if, in fact, that was the case based on what she understood. The Speaker: The hon. member if you wish. Ms Notley: Thank you.

Again, I certainly stand to be corrected, but my understanding is that in ’08- 09 the senior executives of AIMCo did receive bonuses in the amount of roughly $5 million. That’s the kind of thing where, as you decrease government a c- countability, as you revise the structure to ensure greater independence, you’re more likely to get those kinds of compens a- tion packages coming into play.

I would suggest that that is not necessarily something that taxpayers as a whole would be in su p- port of, that we ne ed to keep these kinds of things in line with reasonable expectations, and that in that particular case those did not fit that description. 3:30 The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Boutilier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As a follow -up, of course, in terms of what was taking place both on Bay Street and on Wall Street with these executive bonuses, I’d be very interested to see if the member believes that, you know, the executive b o- nuses – I understood that in terms of this Legislature there are no bonuses, and I’m proud to say that as we’re members of the House. The fact is that AIMCo is an extension of the government, so I guess I would be wondering on the amendment if the member supports these exe cutive bonuses at a time when the economy is literally going into the sewer.

Ms Notley: Well, in general, of course, we don’t, and I think most Albertans don’t. I think that’s why executive bonuses have been limited in the public service overall. That, of course, is why when AIMCo first came into play, we were concerned about the stru c- ture, that didn’t give the government accountability over that. Now, the reason I raised this concern was simply that here we are amending the act, and it would have struck m e as an opport u- nity to address this issue.

It’s not addressed in this particular piece of legislation, and it’s a disappointment that we’re not in fact f o- cusing on creating more accountability rather than ignoring what seems to be a fairly major lapse in accountability. The Speaker: Hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar, are you on the Q and A? Mr. MacDonald: Yes, I am. The Speaker: Through the chair. Mr. MacDonald: Yes, certainly, and I apologize, Mr. Speaker. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona indicated that in 2009 there were long -term incentive plan bonuses, whatever you want to call them, paid of $4.4 million.

I’m looking at page 47 of the annual report of AIMCo. It also indicates that there was an annual incentive plan – I’m referring to page 41 – in 2009 that paid out or set aside $2.3 mi l- lion, and in 2010 it set aside $9.8 million. That’s a significant increase of well over $7 million from 2009 to 2010. How does the hon. member feel about that? In particular, it wasn’t sort of an exceptional year for the investments.

Ms Notley: Well, I must say that I really appreciate the Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar pointing that out because my information just talked about this $2.7 million, and I had missed the $9 million figure. I must be one year behind in tha t. Certainly an increase to $9 million suggests that, indeed, the concerns of our caucus, at least initially, about this train sort of going off the tracks as you continue to distance this organization from any form or mecha n- ism of true government accountability seems to be coming to fruition.

Certainly, the Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar is correct that those kinds of bonuses and compensation packages are not the kind of thing that most Albertans would ever believe are reasona- ble. Indeed, in the face of the economic performance of the province at the time that those types of wage packages were d e- veloped, it seems that we have two different sets of rules. The Speaker: The time for the question-and -answer

section has now left us. Additional speakers on this bill? Shall I call the question? Hon. Members: Question. [Motion carried; Bill 12 read a second time] Bill 14 Wills and Succession Amendment Act, 2011 [Adjourned debate March 15: Mr. Drysdale] The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. Mr. MacDonald: Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We had a look at Bill 14, the Wills and Succession Amendment Act.

It is a legislative initiative that will clarify the power of the courts under the recently passed Wills and Succession Act, and it applies only to a will of a person who dies after the act comes into force. I understand this act is expected to come into force in January of next year. This is an example of drafting legislation quite quickly. I can appreciate the discussions that have gone on between the House leaders regarding this matter. This is a technical amendment, we could say, but this amendment affects legal rights, and I’m not surprised, Mr.

Speaker, because there have been many exceptions in the last coup

Document details

Collection	Alberta — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20110414
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	L27 S4 20110414 1330 01 han.pdf
Language	en
Format	json
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	9fede3506c45c0d13f4db00ea00ef91cb0b47765

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