Members of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly debated some key issues during the spring session, which wrapped up May 29
Jennifer Johnson, Lacombe-Ponoka
It’s been a year since the 2023 election and what an honour and privilege it’s been to represent this constituency in the Alberta Legislature.
I have enjoyed meeting with so many of you in your place of business and look forward to stopping in to chat more with you over the summer.
Members of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly debated some key issues during the spring session, which wrapped up May 29.
The early portion of the session focused primarily on the government’s budget. This is Alberta’s fourth consecutive balanced budget, which will have tighter margins than past budgets with rising expenses and lower projected revenues.
With Bill 20, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, the government sought to strengthen local elections, and help municipalities accelerate housing development.
At the heart of the opposition’s argument against this bill was the appearance of government overreach. Amendments were brought in and passed.
As your MLA, my priority was ensuring that local concerns were addressed. I held two town hall events to gather feedback, which I provided to the minister.
The amendments made it clear that the provincial cabinet does not have the power to immediately dismiss a municipal councillor, rather that a public vote must first be held.
In addition, changes clarified the circumstances under which the cabinet may amend or repeal a municipal bylaw. Both changes significantly improved the final bill, and I want to thank those who provided feedback at my town halls.
Bill 22, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, proceeds with healthcare reforms that have long been promised by the government. Over the past 25 years, administrative control over Alberta’s healthcare system was centralized from local hospital boards, to regional health authorities and eventually to a province-wide authority.
The oft-stated purpose was to streamline costs and provide a more responsive system.
However, centralization did not reverse a trend to longer wait times in emergency rooms, longer delays for surgeries, and extended ambulance response times.
Bill 22 seeks to separate Alberta’s single administrative management monopoly into four distinct divisions - primary care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health.
Done properly, I believe this will enable our health system’s administrative bureaucracy to be more responsive to patient and local community demands and concerns.
It is graduation season and I am pleased to have had the privilege of attending several commencements within the constituency.
Congratulations to all the graduates from communities across the constituency including Alix, Clive, Blackfalds, Ponoka and Lacombe.
With parades in full swing, I have attended a number to date and look forward to those still to come.
Seniors Week was a huge success and kudos to those who successfully organized the many events. What a great time was had by all at the ice cream socials, strawberry teas, and come-and-go coffee events, with lots of great entertainment and laughter to be enjoyed. I even got to try carpet bowling for the first time and that was lots of fun!
The next major event is the 88th annual Ponoka Stampede - Canada’s largest 7-day Pro Rodeo - and I can’t wait, I hope to see you all there.
Feel free to contact my office at 403-782-7725 or by email Lacombe.ponoka@assembly.ab.ca.
