Schow reviews achievements in fall session

Posted on December 12, 2024 by Vauxhall Advance

By Heather Cameron
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On December 5, Government House Leader and Tourism and Sport Minister Joseph Schow, who also serves as the MLA for Cardston-Siksika, held a media roundtable where he provided a summary of the progress made by Alberta’s government during the fall session.

“This session, under the incredible leadership of our Premier Danielle Smith, has been laser focused on protecting and promoting Alberta’s rights and freedoms, which are the cornerstones of living in a free and democratic society,” said Minister Schow.

Protecting and promoting Alberta’s rights and freedoms, Minister Schow explained, is also the theme that united the 13 bills passed this fall and was also on full display when the government commenced the session by introducing the Alberta Bill of Rights Amendment Act. Schow emphasized that the passage of the Alberta Bill of Rights Amendment Act ‘enshrines the rights of Albertans to personal autonomy and protects medical choices, property rights, and legal firearms use in our province.’

Minister Schow also explained that the passage of the Health Statutes Amendment Act and Bill 27: The Education Amendment Act creates ‘a comprehensive framework to preserve choice for minors, to support student success and wellbeing of schools, and to ensure kids and youth in Alberta are supported as they grow into adults to become the people they want to become.’

Minister Schow explained that during this session Alberta was ‘a leader in Canada’ with the introduction of the Fairness and Safety Sport Act and the Protection of Privacy Act.

The Fairness and Safety Sport Act, Minister Schow explained, is a ‘one-of-its-kind piece of legislation in Canada’ that protects the fairness and safety of amateur and competitive sports system by ensuring that women and girls are able to compete in biological female-only divisions. The Fairness and Safety Sport Act, Minister Schow explained, would also support the formation of additional co-ed divisions to ensure that transgender athletes can meaningfully participate in the sports of their choice.

“When it comes to supporting sports, particularly transgender athletes, we will continue to work with the provincial sport organizations, public institutions, and post-secondaries as needs arise,” said Minister Schow explained.