Alberta Hansard — 24 May 2012, Afternoon sitting (15:00) (Legislature 28, Session 1)

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Alberta — Debates (Hansard)

Province of Alberta The 28th Legislature First Session Alberta Hansard Thursday, May 24, 2012 Issue 2 The Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Speaker

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

W) Barnes, Drew, Cypress-Medicine Hat (

W) Bhardwaj, Naresh, Edmonton-Ellerslie (PC) Bhullar, Hon. Manmeet Singh, Calgary-Greenway (PC) Bikman, Gary, Cardston-Taber-Warner (

W) Bilous, Deron, Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview (ND) Blakeman, Laurie, Edmonton-Centre (AL), Liberal Opposition House Leader Brown, Dr. Neil, QC, Calgary-Mackay-Nose Hill (PC) Calahasen, Pearl, Lesser Slave Lake (PC) Campbell, Hon. Robin, West Yellowhead (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Cao, Wayne C.N., Calgary-Fort (PC) Casey, Ron, Banff-Cochrane (PC) Cusanelli, Hon. Christine, Calgary-Currie (PC) Dallas, Hon. Cal, Red Deer-South (PC) DeLong, Alana, Calgary-Bow (PC) Denis, Hon. Jonathan, QC, Calgary-Acadia (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Donovan, Ian, Little Bow (

W) Dorward, David C., Edmonton-Gold Bar (PC) Drysdale, Hon. Wayne, Grande Prairie-Wapiti (PC) Eggen, David, Edmonton-Calder (ND), New Democrat Opposition Whip Fawcett, Hon. Kyle, Calgary-Klein (PC) Fenske, Jacquie, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville (PC) Forsyth, Heather, Calgary-Fish Creek (

W) Fox, Rodney M., Lacombe-Ponoka (

W) Fraser, Rick, Calgary-South East (PC) Fritz, Yvonne, Calgary-Cross (PC) Goudreau, Hector G., Dunvegan-Central Peace-Notley (PC) Griffiths, Hon. Doug, Battle River-Wainwright (PC) Hale, Jason W., Strathmore-Brooks (

W) Hancock, Hon. Dave, QC, Edmonton-Whitemud (PC), Government House Leader Hehr, Kent, Calgary-Buffalo (AL) Horne, Hon. Fred, Edmonton-Rutherford (PC) Horner, Hon. Doug, Spruce Grove-St. Albert (PC) Hughes, Hon. Ken, Calgary-West (PC) Jansen, Sandra, Calgary-North West (PC) Jeneroux, Matt, Edmonton-South West (PC) Johnson, Hon. Jeff, Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater (PC) Johnson, Linda, Calgary-Glenmore (PC) Kang, Darshan S., Calgary-McCall (AL), Liberal Opposition Whip Kennedy-Glans, Donna, Calgary-Varsity (PC) Khan, Hon. Stephen, St. Albert (PC) Klimchuk, Hon.

Heather, Edmonton-Glenora (PC) Kubinec, Maureen, Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock (PC) Lemke, Ken, Stony Plain (PC) Leskiw, Genia, Bonnyville-Cold Lake (PC) Luan, Jason, Calgary-Hawkwood (PC) Lukaszuk, Hon. Thomas A., Edmonton-Castle Downs (PC) Mason, Brian, Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood (ND), Leader of the New Democrat Opposition McAllister, Bruce, Chestermere-Rocky View (W), Official Opposition Deputy Whip McDonald, Everett, Grande Prairie-Smoky (PC) McIver, Hon. Ric, Calgary-Hays (PC), Deputy Government House Leader McQueen, Hon.

Diana, Drayton Valley-Devon (PC) Notley, Rachel, Edmonton-Strathcona (ND), New Democrat Opposition House Leader Oberle, Hon. Frank, Peace River (PC) Olesen, Cathy, Sherwood Park (PC) Olson, Hon. Verlyn, QC, Wetaskiwin-Camrose (PC) Pastoor, Bridget Brennan, Lethbridge-East (PC) Pedersen, Blake, Medicine Hat (

W) Quadri, Sohail, Edmonton-Mill Woods (PC) Quest, Dave, Strathcona-Sherwood Park (PC) Redford, Hon. Alison M., QC, Calgary-Elbow (PC), Premier Rodney, Hon. Dave, Calgary-Lougheed (PC) Rowe, Bruce, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills (

W) Sandhu, Peter, Edmonton-Manning (PC) Sarich, Janice, Edmonton-Decore (PC) Saskiw, Shayne, Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills (W), Official Opposition Deputy House Leader Scott, Hon. Donald, QC, Fort McMurray-Conklin (PC) Sherman, Dr. Raj, Edmonton-Meadowlark (AL), Leader of the Liberal Opposition Smith, Danielle, Highwood (W), Leader of the Official Opposition Starke, Dr. Richard, Vermilion-Lloydminster (PC) Stier, Pat, Livingstone-Macleod (

W) Strankman, Rick, Drumheller-Stettler (

W) Swann, Dr. David, Calgary-Mountain View (AL) Towle, Kerry, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake (W), Official Opposition Whip VanderBurg, Hon. George, Whitecourt-Ste. Anne (PC) Weadick, Hon. Greg, Lethbridge-West (PC) Webber, Len, Calgary-Foothills (PC) Wilson, Jeff, Calgary-Shaw (

W) Woo-Paw, Hon. Teresa, Calgary-Northern Hills (PC) Xiao, David H., Edmonton-McClung (PC) Young, Steve, Edmonton-Riverview (PC), Government Whip Party standings: Progressive Conservative: 61 Wildrose: 17 Alberta Liberal: 5 New Democrat: 4 Officers and Officials of the Legislative Assembly W.J. David McNeil, Clerk Robert H. Reynolds, QC, Law Clerk/ Director of Interparliamentary Relations Shannon Dean, Senior Parliamentary Counsel/Director of House Services Stephanie LeBlanc, Parliamentary Counsel and Legal Research Officer Philip Massolin, Committee Research Co-ordinator Brian G.

Hodgson, Sergeant-at-Arms Chris Caughell, Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Gordon H. Munk, Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Liz Sim, Managing Editor of Alberta Hansard

Executive Council Alison Redford Premier, President of Executive Council Thomas Lukaszuk Deputy Premier Manmeet Singh Bhullar Minister of Service Alberta Robin Campbell Minister of Aboriginal Relations Christine Cusanelli Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation Cal Dallas Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations Jonathan Denis Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Wayne Drysdale Minister of Infrastructure Kyle Fawcett Associate Minister of Finance Doug Griffiths Minister of Municipal Affairs Dave Hancock Minister of Human Services Fred Horne Minister of Health Doug Horner President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance Ken Hughes Minister of Energy Jeff Johnson Minister of Education Stephen Khan Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education Heather Klimchuk Minister of Culture Ric McIver Minister of Transportation Diana McQueen Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Frank Oberle Associate Minister of Services for Persons with Disabilities Verlyn Olson Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dave Rodney Associate Minister of Wellness Donald Scott Associate Minister of Accountability, Transparency and Transformation George VanderBurg Associate Minister of Seniors Greg Weadick Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs Teresa Woo-Paw Associate Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Chair: Mr. Quest Deputy Chair: Mrs. Jablonski Anderson Casey Dorward Eggen Kubinec Sandhu Sherman Standing Committee on Legislative Offices Chair: Mr. Xiao Deputy Chair: Mr. McDonald Bikman Blakeman Brown DeLong Eggen Leskiw Quadri Rogers Wilson Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services Chair: Mr. Zwozdesky Deputy Chair: Mr. Young Calahasen Dorward Forsyth Goudreau Jablonski Mason Quest Sherman Smith Standing Committee on Private Bills Chair: Mr. Cao Deputy Chair: Ms L.

Johnson Barnes Bhardwaj Brown DeLong Fox Fritz Goudreau Jeneroux Kennedy-Glans Luan Notley Olesen Pastoor Rowe Sarich Starke Strankman Swann Webber Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Chair: Dr. Starke Deputy Chair: Mr. Lemke Allen Amery Bhardwaj Casey Hehr Jansen Jeneroux Johnson, L. Kennedy-Glans Kubinec McAllister McDonald Notley Pedersen Sandhu Saskiw Towle Xiao Young Standing Committee on Public Accounts Chair: Mr. Anderson Deputy Chair: Mr. Dorward Allen Amery Anglin Bilous Calahasen DeLong Donovan Fenske Fraser Fritz Hale Hehr Pastoor Quadri Sarich

May 24, 2012 Alberta Hansard 5 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Title: Thursday, May 24, 2012 3 p.m. 3 p.m. Thursday, May 24, 2012 The Sergeant-at-Arms: Order! Mr. Speaker. [Preceded by the Sergeant -at-Arms, the Speaker, accompanied by the officers of the Assembly, entered the Chamber and took the chair] head: Prayers The Speaker: Hon. members and honoured guests, we begin our day with a special prayer. I invite each of you to pray in your own way. Almighty God, as we gather here today in governance, we ask for Your blessings on all who are present here to day.

We ask for Your guidance in order that truth and justice may prevail in all of our judgments for the benefit of all Albertans. Amen. Ladies and gentlemen, I would now invite Mr. Paul Lorieau, accompanied by a quartet comprised of members of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, to lead us in the singing of our national anthem. Please join in in the language of your choice. Hon. Members and Guests: O Canada, our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. The Speaker: Well done, all. Please be seated. head: Entrance of the Lieutenant Governor [The Premier, the Clerk, and the Sergeant -at-Arms left the Chamber to attend the Lieutenant Governor] [The Mace was draped] The Speaker: Aren’t these pages wonderful? [applause] Ladies and gentlemen, prior to the arrival of His Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor the quartet of members from the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra will play a brief musical interlude.

Please listen attentively as Robin Doyon, Brian Sand, Al Lowrey, and Christopher Taylor entertain us with this wonderful musical selection. [The Sergeant -at-Arms knocked on the main doors of the Chamber three times. The Assistant Sergeant -at-Arms opened the doors, and the Sergeant-at-Arms entered] The Sergeant-at-Arms: Ladies and gentlemen, all rise, please. Mr. Speaker, His Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor awaits.

The Speaker: Sergeant-at-Arms, admit His Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor. [A fanfare of trumpets sounded] [Preceded by the Sergeant -at-Arms, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Colonel (Retired) Donald S. Ethell, OC, OMM, AOE, MSC, CD, LLD, and Mrs. Ethell, their party, the Premier, and the Clerk entered the Chamber. His Honour took his place upon the throne] The Speaker: May it please Your Honour, the Legislative Assembly of Alberta has elected me as their Speaker, though I am but little able to fulfill the huge and important duties thus assigned to me.

If in the performance of those duties I should at any time fall into any sort of error, I pray that the fault may be imputed to me and not the Assembly, whose servant I am and who through me, the better to enable them to discharge their duty to their Queen and the province, humbly claim all their undoubted rights and privileges, especially that they may have freedom of speech in their debates, access to Your Honour’s person at all seasonable times, and that their proceedings may receive from Your Honour the most favourable construction. His Honour: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pray be seated. Mr.

Denis (Provincial Secretary): Mr. Speaker, I am com - manded by His Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor to declare to you that he freely confides in the duty and attachment of this Assembly to Her Majesty’s person and government, and not doubting that their proceedings will be conducted with wisdom, temper, and prudence, he grants and upon all occasions will recognize and allow their constitutional privileges.

I am commanded also to assure you that the Assembly shall have ready a ccess to His Honour upon all seasonable occasions and that their proceedings as well as your words and actions will constantly receive from him the most favourable construction. His Honour: Albertans, this is a great day for a number of reasons. One, it’s the start of the 28th Alberta Legislature, it’s also Victoria Day, it’s also the 60th year of Her Majesty’s reign, and those are very important to all of us.

At the risk of getting off the subject for a moment, Canada was honoured in front of Buckingham P alace yesterday in that the RCMP mounted the guard. For the first time in history they mounted the guard. It’s usually up to soldiers. Not only that, but one of the guards was a female, and that hadn’t happened before. We are fortunate to have RCMP members of that ilk. Of course, as you’re well aware, here in the province of Alberta we have the first elected female Premier, and the Leader of the Official Opposition is also female.

They’re taking over the world. [laughter] head: Speech from the Throne His Honour: Albertans, distinguished Members of the Legislative Assembly, visitors and guests, welcome to the First Session of the 28th Alberta Legislature. It is my privilege to deliver the Speech from the Throne and to serve this province as Lieutenant Governor. Today Alberta has the potential to reach greater heights than ever before. Economic recovery is under way in many parts of the world, and demand for our energy and skills will grow in the years ahead. Albertans are looking to the future with new hope and confidence.

They see a chance to build the best lives possible for themselves and their families, and they are ready to make the most of that opportunity. The people of this province have declared that they are not content to gaze inward and build wal ls. They want to look outward and build bridges. They seek to engage with the world around them and, through investment and innovation here at

6 Alberta Hansard May 24, 2012 home, play a leading role in making our world a better place. Alberta, your government has heard you loud and cle ar, and its plans and policies will continue to reflect your values, goals, and aspirations. This province is the most economically free jurisdiction in North America. Nowhere else do businesses have so much room to operate without interference and adapt to market conditions. Your government will further these freedoms and find new ways to simplify regulatory burdens so businesses continue to drive our prosperity.

We have one of the most technologically astute, safe, and responsible energy sectors in the world, a field that provides hundreds of thousands of Alberta families with reliable livelihoods. That sector is working hard to improve its efficiency and reduce its footprint as it expands production. Your government will partner with industry on researc h and development through a second Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority to maintain a competitive, world-class resource economy for the 21st century, grow the marketplace for clean energy, and protect the jobs so many Albertans depend on.

We have strong and responsive public services that offer Albertans a great standard of living. Your government will invest in those services, in the infrastructure that supports them, and in the families and communities that depend on them to secure Alberta’s economic future, and it will keep those services public and bring new fiscal discipline to budgets so they deliver the outcomes Albertans want in a financially sensible way. Your government will accomplish all this because it has solid foundations to build on.

The last 41 years have brought incredible benefits to our province and seen society evolve in ways that have changed how Albertans think and live. It was the decisions of past governments that helped us adapt and get to where we are today. Every one of those governments was distinct, and each put forward the right vision in response to the issues Alberta confronted. Each was suited to its time and place and pursued the right course for the right circumstances in sync with Albertans’ values. This government will uphold that tradition even as our province adapts and changes faster than ever.

Technology has put more knowledge and power at Albertans’ fingertips than at any time in history. Competition and rising expectations are placing heightened pressure on the energy industry that has sustained us for so long, and demographic shifts are asking more of Albertans and the public services that nurture, educate, and care for them. Alberta has robust traditions in which to find answers. Our western spir it and heritage and our entrepreneurial energy have always served us well.

The unique pride, self -reliance, and fiscal conservatism that have made this province such a special place to live are as strong as they have ever been, and this government will use these traits to forge a brighter future. They define us as Albertans, and they are too precious to put aside. But the challenge of change demands a response. It requires leadership ready to strike the right balance between progressive and conservative th inking. Your government will find that balance.

Your government has a policy framework for this time and place, a plan in harmony with Albertans’ socially progressive values and fiscally conservative beliefs, and implementation has begun. Your government promised to increase both AISH payments and the allowable income exemption. Budget 2012 raised the former by $400 per month and doubled the latter. Your government promised to offer subsidized child care for families earning less than $50,000 annually. Budget 2012 provided $12 million in funds for that purpose.

Your government pledged to make Alberta’s Child and Youth Advocate independent to better help at -risk youth and investigate when things go wrong. At the beginning of April the advocate’s office became fully independent. This government’s fiscal and economic plan includes no new taxes, no sales tax, and multiyear budgets to control public spending. On every single count those promises were met, and this govern- ment will continue to do so in every area. Albertans have expressed a desire for change and no -nonsense, effective leadership.

They know that a great province starts from the inside out, with an efficient and responsive public service that judiciously uses their tax dollars to provide suppor t and create the conditions for success. To support these outcomes, this government formed a new cabinet and government structure, combining departments and designing new ministries to focus on the things that matter to Albertans: having a strong fiscal f ramework, caring for families and the vulnerable, promoting and protecting our resources, and having solid consultation processes that ensure Albertans are heard.

These tasks will stay at the top of the government’s agenda as it moves forward. Your government will invest in Alberta’s future by supporting the families in whose hands that future rests. This means providing an accessible primary care system and giving Albertans the tools and guidance they need to take charge of their health. Your government will continue to expand family care clinics in consultation with local stakeholders and the dedicated profes- sionals who staff the system, building on primary care networks.

It will bring more allied health workers like nurse practitioners to the front lin es of primary care to lower wait times. It will design and implement a plan to extend the province’s network of continuing care centres so seniors can find accommodations that suit their budget and family arrangements. Your government will extend improved access to care for the very Albertans devoted to providing it when we need it most. Bill 1, to be brought forward in this session, will guarantee workers’ compensation coverage for first responders suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder.

PTSD’s deva stating effects on individuals and their families are well understood, and it is time legislation reflected that fact. First responders rush to our aid in times of trouble, and this government will be the first in Canada to do the same for them. Your gove rnment will promote trustworthy leadership that genuinely takes Albertans’ concerns to heart and establish openness and transparency as guiding principles.

The new Associate Minister of Accountability, Transparency and Transformation will review Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy, FOIP, Act and oversee fundamental changes to the way the province does business. As part of this effort your government will survey conflict -of-interest issues and then introduce a new package of legislati on that draws on the best solutions from around the world. As promised, this will include whistle-blower legislation. Albertans will be able to see with new depth and clarity how government works for them.

Your government will also secure Alberta’s economic future by demonstrating fiscal restraint and foresight, spending wisely and saving intelligently. Starting with Budget 2012, our most critical public sectors – education, advanced education, health, and municipal services – are receiving stable funding in the form of three-year budgets. Institutions and municipalities know in advance what to expect so they can plan ahead, guaranteeing reliable service delivery for all Albertans.

May 24, 2012 Alberta Hansard 7 And to enforce unprecedented discipline in public spending, this government is pioneering results -based budgeting. Government will engage with Albertans to identify the outcomes they expect from public programs. Every part of the government’s operations will then be scrutinized on a three -year cycle. Program budgets will be reset to reflect findings, and the Treasury Board will publicly report on the progress made each year so Albertans can see how their tax dollars are being used.

Your government will also advance world-leading resource stewardship, developing our natural resour ces responsibly to safeguard Alberta’s environment, grow its markets, and keep our economy strong. The regulatory enhancement project, which combines multiple bodies into a single regulator for upstream oil, gas, and coal, is a critical part of this plan. Your government will simplify the system and give energy firms the nimble, responsive regulator they need to stay competitive.

The industry depends just as much on access to new markets, so through the Canadian energy strategy your government will pursue co-operation with other provinces, working with our neighbours to build the infrastructure needed to reach those markets. At the same time your government will improve environmental monitoring. Together with Ottawa, Alberta will usher in a comprehensive, transparent, and scientifically credible system. The joint monitoring program will gather more information more frequently and allow faster detection of changes to the environment so industry and government can mitigate them.

Alberta’s prosperity cannot c ome at the expense of its beauty; the two must go hand in hand. This government will ensure they do, and in support of this strong relationship with the government of Canada we will be opening a new office in Ottawa. The office will help forge stronger relations in Canada’s capital and advocate Alberta’s perspective on important federal and provincial matters. Strengthening our links with the federal government and our provincial neighbours will help to develop new opportunities that benefit all Albertans.

This is about looking beyond our borders to build the bridges the people of this province want and meeting their expectations. Albertans have entrusted their leadership with a mandate to respond to change. Over the next four years this government will rise to the occasion and deliver and fulfill a clear, focused, target - driven mandate. Albertans will know where the province is headed and how progress is being made because this is a government that will stay true to its promises. It will partner with Albertans from every walk of life to arrive at solutions.

It will treat all Albertans with fairness and respect no matter where they live. It will mirror their concerns and goals and make manifest their values and beliefs. And, most importantly, it will get ou t of Albertans’ way so they can unleash their creative potential and build a prosperous province, one that is not only rich in resources but in opportunity, and a quality of life that uplifts everyone it touches. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. May God bless you all. God bless Alberta. God bless Canada. God save the Queen. Merci. The Sergeant-at-Arms: All rise, please.

The Speaker: Ladies and gentlemen, I would now invite Mr. Paul Lorieau, accompanied by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra quartet, to lead us in the singing of God Save The Queen . Please remain standing at the conclusion of the singing for the exit of Their Honours. Hon. Members and Guests: God save our gracious Queen, long live our noble Queen, God save The Queen! Send her victorious, happy and glorious, long to reign over us; God save The Queen!

The Sergeant-at-Arms: Order! [Preceded by the Sergeant -at-Arms, Their Honours, their party, and the Premier left the Chamber as a fanfare of trumpets sounded] The Speaker: Please be seated. [The Mace was uncovered] The Speaker: Hon. members and honoured guests, a few interesting reflections for you. On April 23, 2012, 87 individ uals were elected to serve the people of Alberta as Members of the Legislative Assembly. This is the largest number of seats ever in Alberta’s history.

In the first general election in the new province of Alberta on November 9, 1905, 25 people were elected to represent Alberta’s entire population of 185,412 people. Effectively, one member represented 7,416 people. I wonder how many doors they had to knock on. Today, as we all know, we are approximately 3.8 million people in Alberta, with one member representing on average approximately 41,900 citizens. We are 87 individuals here. We come from various back - grounds and experiences.

In fact, we have occupations that cover the alphabet from A to V – we didn’t quite make it Z, unfortunately, but we’ll work on it – from an agronomist to a veterinarian. We have one member who has served as a Member of Parliament, 23 members who have served as councillors or aldermen, and nine who have served as mayors or reeves. Twenty- four members are businesspeople, and 10 have been consultants or advocates. Fourteen members have worked in the civil service or as assistants to members at all levels of government. Eleven members are lawyers, six of whom are Queen’s Counsel members.

Nine members have been involved in agriculture, f arming and ranching. Eighteen members have been schoolteachers, educators, instructors, or lecturers. Six members have been school board trustees. Five members have served as front -line health care professionals: two doctors, two nurses, and one paramedic. Five members have worked in media – print, radio, and television – and four members have experience in fine arts or languages. Four have worked in the financial sector. Two members have law enforcement backgrounds. Five members have worked in real estate and four in the oil and gas industry.

Seven members have worked in the trades and six in nonprofit environments. Members have also held the following occupations: biologist, bus driver, forester, geologist, miner, and professional bullfighter. [The Premier returned to the Chamber] Members are bringing a local as well as a global perspective to our Alberta Assembly. We have members who were born in nine of Canada’s provinces and territories. We have members who were born in 10 different countries from around the world, including Brazil, China, India, Jamaica, Lebanon, Poland, Wales, and Vietnam.

8 Alberta Hansard May 24, 2012 Historically the average age of members in previous Legislatures, of which there were 27, has been 48.5 years at the time of election. Based on the information rece ived to date, the average age of the members of today’s 28th Legislature is 51. The ages of the members range from 31 to 72, but the majority of members come between the range of 50 and 59 years of age. Twenty-two Members of our Legislative Assembly today are women, representing 25.3 per cent of the total number of members here.

Comparatively, the most women ever elected were elected in the general election of 1997, when 24 of the 83, or 28.9 per cent of the members elected, were women. The average number of months served in the Legislative Assembly by all 87 members is 60 months, or five years.

Thirty - eight members present today are in their first term of office – 38 members – and I would ask those 38 members to please rise and receive our collective than ks for serving. [applause] Twenty -six members are in their second term of office, including one member who’s been re-elected after a gap of four years; seven members are in their third term of office; six members are in their fourth term of office, including one member elected in a by-election; five members are in their fifth term of office, including two members elected in by-elections; four members are in their sixth term of office, including your Speaker; and one member truly has distinguished herself.

She is now entering her seventh term of office, and she deserves our collective thanks, the Member for Lesser Slave Lake. In conclusion, hon. members and guests, the diversity of backgrounds and experiences that we all bring to our work as members makes our province of Alberta so much stronger and so much more reflective of the daily lives and concerns of our constituents, whom we are honoured to serve.

We are here to represent them and to work together constructively to improve the lives of all Albertans. head: Tablings The Speaker: It is now my honour to table a copy of the speech graciously given by His Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor. head: Introduction of Bills The Speaker: The hon. Premier. Bill 1 Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, 2012 Ms Redford: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request leave to introduce Bill 1, the Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, 2012. This bill will provide presumptive Workers’ Compensation Board coverage to first responders who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder.

This proposed legislation supports the men and the women who risk their lives every day to make Alberta a safer place, a better place. Our first responders, whether they’re paramedics, firefighters, or police officers, arrive at the time of our gr eatest need. This legislation is about returning that courtesy and that favour, and it’s about being there when they need us, Mr. Speaker. This bill will establish Alberta as the first jurisdiction in the country to offer this much-needed and extremely deserved coverage.

Bill 1 is reflective of this government’s ongoing commitment to the brave men and women who put their lives on the line so that we can enjoy ours. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Motion carried; Bill 1 read a first time] head: Certificates of Election The Clerk: Mr. Speaker, I have received from the Chief Electoral Officer of Alberta pursuant to the Election Act a report containing the results of the general election conducted on April 23, 2012.

The report states that an election was conducted in the following electoral divisions, and the said report further shows that the following members were duly elected. [The Clerk read the election returns] The Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Just before we proceed with the next order of business, I’d like to take a moment to introduce three special guests who are here in my gallery today, two of whom are visiting us for the first time: my sister Iris and her husband, Steve Ciona, and they are accompanied by my mother, who has just turned 90 years of age, A nna.

Please rise and receive our warm welcome. [Remarks in Ukrainian] That translates as: I love you very much. The hon. Premier. head: Motions Ms Redford: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the speech of His Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor to this Assembly be taken into consideration the week of May 28, 2012. [Motion carried] The Speaker: The hon. Government House Leader. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that pursuant to Standing Order 52 the select standing committees and the special standing committee be appointed for the present Legislature for the following purposes:

(1) Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing,

(2) Public Accounts,

(3) Private Bills,

(4) Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund,

(5) Legislative Offices, and

(6) Members’ Services. [Motion carried] The Speaker: The hon. Government House Leader. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would move that the following members be appointed to the Assembly’s standing committees and the special standing committee:

(1) Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund: Quest, chair; Jablonski, deputy chair; Anderson; Casey; Dorward; Eggen; Kubinec; Sandhu; and Sherman.

(2) Standing Committee on Legislative Offices: Xiao, chair; McDonald, deputy chair; Bikman; Blakeman; Brown; DeLong; Eggen; Leskiw; Quadri; Rogers; and Wilson.

(3) Standing Committee on Private Bills: Cao, chair; Johnson, Calgary-Glenmore, deputy chair; Barnes; Bhardwaj; Brown; DeLong; Fox; Fritz; Goudreau; Jeneroux; Kennedy -Glans; Luan; Notley; Olesen; Pastoor; Rowe; Sarich; Starke; Strankman; Swann; and Webber.

(4) Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Print ing: Starke, chair; Lemke, deputy chair; Allen; Amery; Bhardwaj; Casey; Hehr; Jansen; Jeneroux; Johnson, Calgary-Glenmore; Kennedy -Glans; Kubinec;

May 24, 2012 Alberta Hansard 9 McAllister; McDonald; Notley; Pedersen; Sandhu; Saskiw; Towle; Xiao; and Young.

(5) Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Anderson, chair; Dorward, deputy chair; Allen; Amery; Anglin; Bilous; Calahasen; DeLong; Donovan; Fenske; Fraser; Fritz; Hale; Hehr; Pastoor; Quadri; and Sarich.

(6) Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services: Zwozdesky, chair; Young, deputy chair; Calahasen; Dorward; Forsyth; Goudreau; Jablonski; Mason; Quest; Sherman; and Smith. The Speaker: Thank you, hon. Government House Leader. [Motion carried] The Speaker: The hon. Government House Leader. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the Assembly stand adjourned until Monday, May 28, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. [Motion carried; the Assembly adjourned at 3:51 p.m. to Monday at 1:30 p.m.]

10 Alberta Hansard May 24, 2012

Activity to May 24, 2012 The Bill sponsor's name is in brackets following the Bill title. If it is a money Bill, ($) will appear between the title and the sponsor's name. Numbers following each Reading refer to Hansard pages where the text of debates is found; dates for each Reading are in brackets following the page numbers. Bills numbered 1 to 199 are Government Bills. Bills numbered 200 or higher are Private Members' Public Bills.

Bills numbered with a "Pr" prefix are Private Bills. *An asterisk beside a Bill number indicates an amendment was passed to that Bill; the Committee line shows the precise date of the amendment. The date a Bill comes into force is indicated in square brackets after the date of Royal Assent. If a Bill comes into force "on proclamation," "with exceptions," or "on various dates," please contact Legislative Counsel, Alberta Justice, for details at (780) 427-2217. The

chapter number assigned to th e Bill is entered immediately following the date the Bill comes into force. SA indicates Statutes of Alberta; this is followed by the year in which it is included in the statutes, and its

chapter number. Please note, Private Bills are not assigned

chapter numbers until the conclusion of the Fall Sittings. Bill Status Re port for the 28th Legislature - 1st Session

(2012) Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, 2012 (Redford)1 First Reading -- 8 (May 24 aft., passed)

Table of Contents Prayers ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Entrance of the Lieutenant Governor .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 Speech from the Throne ................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Tablings ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Introduction of Bills Bill 1 Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, 2012 ....................................................................................................................... 8 Certificates of Election ................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Motions ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

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Document details

Collection	Alberta — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20120524
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	L28 S1 20120524 1500 01 han.pdf
Language	en
Format	json
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	ba54503d4578943b22f4fd7777bb4ea47b1d5f14

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (json).