Schow reviews spring session agenda and details proposed legislation

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Vauxhall Advance

By Heather Cameron
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On February 24, Joseph Schow, Government House Leader, Minister of Tourism and Sport, and MLA for Cardston-Siksika, spoke about the work that the Government of Alberta plans to do during the spring session of the legislature, which reconvened on February 25.

Budget 2025, MLA Schow explained, will be tabled on February 27 and stated that the introduction of a new budget is always ‘exciting.’

In addition to Budget 2025, MLA Schow stated, this session will see the introduction of a suite of around 20 pieces of legislation that will allow for the implementation of measures announced in Budget 2025.

MLA Schow explained that the pieces of legislation will allow the implementation of measures announced in Budget 2025, and that work will ‘increase clarity, efficiency, and accountability’ within the Province of Alberta so that the government can better meet the challenges and burdens that all are facing. 

MLA Schow provided assurances that the government was going to use the spring session to table legislation that will ensure the province’s laws remain relevant, easy to understand, and responsive to the changing needs of an ever evolving geopolitical and economic landscape, such as the Red Tape Reduction Act and the Financial Statutes Amendment Act, along with legislation that provides a uniform governance framework for professional regulatory organizations while simultaneously recognizing the unique needs of the diverse professions that they represent.

Bill 38: the Red Tape Reduction Amendment Act, MLA Schow explained, is the ninth one introduced since Fall 2019 and the Bill includes amendments to improve the lives of Albertans, and contribute to the province’s prosperity in modernizing legislation.

“These changes ensure Alberta’s laws remain relevant, easy to understand, and straightforward for businesses and citizens to comply,” said MLA Schow.

MLA Schow further stated that amendments to the Mental Health Services Protection Amendment Act will also be proposed, with said alterations intended to help addiction providers meet the needs of Albertans and ensure that appropriate levels of regulations are in place for services provided, and giving Albertans confidence that service providers are aligned with standards set out by the Alberta Recovery Model.

“The Mental Health Services Protection Amendment Act is proposed amendments to modernize the Mental Health Services Protection Act by establishing new regulation classes for addiction treatment providers,” said MLA Schow. “These amendments will help Albertans have a better understanding of addiction treatment services across the province and give them the confidence they need to know the provider is aligned with the Alberta Recovery Model by meeting standards set forth by the province.”

The Compassion Intervention Bill, meanwhile, was briefly referenced in connection to the Alberta Recovery Model, but MLA Schow hesitated to provide a precise timeline in regard to when that Act will be further addressed, as the government’s priority regarding that particular Bill is ‘getting it right, not getting it fast.’