Jason Nixon, area MLA and minister of environment and parks, says he expects the fall session will be a busy time and will include the introduction of legislation regarding grazing leases.
The government house leader, Nixon says the session, which starts Oct. 8, could run until sometime in December.
As well as new legislation, the session will also include the introduction of the UPC’s first budget, which will be tabled on Oct. 24.
The government expects to table up to 17 bills this session, he said.
“There's lots of legislation that we are going to see in the house,” said Nixon. “I’ve got a piece of legislation coming forward to modernize grazing lease rental rates, which at this point seems to be supported by all the grazing association. It is a bill that will hopefully protect the cattle industry from a countervail in the United States.
“The spinoff is that if there was a countervail it would impact all the cattle industry, not just the grazing industry side. We think we’ve got that resolved in a positive way in the province.”
The Farm Freedom bill, which Agriculture and Forestry Minister and area MLA Devin Dreeshen has been working on in regard to replacing the NDP’s Bill 6, will also be coming forward this session, he said.
Legislation aimed at protecting farm properties from trespassing will also be introduced, he said.
The budget will “protect front-line and essential services in the province but will also put us back on track to balance,” he said.
The first bill to be introduced will be to establish the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, which would give Indigenous Albertans opportunities to partner in critical natural resource projects, he said.
Another bill called Clare’s Law would enable the disclosure of criminal records of potentially abusive partners.
“It will represent an important tool in fighting domestic violence,” he added in a press release.
The Technology, Innovation and Emissions Reduction Program will also be introduced.
“I think I speak for all government caucus members when I say that I am excited to get back to the business of honouring our promises to Albertans,” he said.
Asked during the Monday press conference if there will be legislation introduced to deal with public sector salaries and jobs, he said, “At this stage there is no legislation planned to deal with public sector salaries and jobs. We will see how the fall session progresses and the conversations that will be happening in regard to those types of negotiations, but at this stage there is nothing planned.”
The government will continue its review of the Alberta Energy Regulator, and will introduce legislation to make changes deemed necessary, he said.
“The goal will be to replace the interim board with a permanent board,” he said.
