It’s a busy time in the legislature

GOVERNMENT PUTTING THROUGH MANY BILLS AIMED AT IMPROVING LIFE FOR ALBERTANS

As I write my column this month I am thinking about some of the legislation our government has moved forward to make life better for Albertans.

Recently, during legislative business, I listened to some very interesting debate on Bill 11 — The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Amendment Act and I spoke to Bill 12 — The New Home Buyer Protection Amendment Act, 2017. Both of these bills were being debated on the second reading. I am supporting both, as I see them as providing very direct protection to firstly to you, my constituents, and all Albertans. I have also spoken several times on Bill 8 — An Act to Strengthen Municipal Government.

On May 4, nine bills received Royal Assent, which means they are now law. Two notable bills that may be of interest to constituents: Bill 1 — An Act to Reduce School Fees (please go to this link and see the letter sent to parents through their school boards about how this will impact you as parents —

https://mariafitzpatrick.albertandpcau cus.ca/about/news/post/bill-1-an-actto-reduce-school-fees

) and Bill 3 — Voluntary Blood Donations Act, which prevents private clinics paying for donations from setting up shop in Alberta, while ensuring Albertans have access to the blood products they need.

There are a number of other bills which are continuing to be debated at various levels. I expect we will be in the legislature debating these bills until the middle of June, but after that I look forward to returning full time to Lethbridge to meet with all of you and attend some of the fantastic summer events our city has to offer.

As you may know, I sit on the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Futures. We have been asked to review Private Member Bill 203 (Alberta Standard Time Act) that was brought forward by my colleague, Thomas Dang, MLA for Edmonton-South West. Since I was elected in 2015, a number of constituents have spoken to me about Daylight/Standard time changes and expressed their wishes on the subject. Your thoughts can also be sent directly to MLA Dang by visiting the Alberta NDP Caucus website:

https://albertandpcaucus.ca/dst.

Please send a copy of your comments to me at my office email as noted at the end of my column.

The other active part of my portfolio is participating on the Ministerial Panel on Child Intervention which has been appointed to explore ways to improve Alberta’s child intervention system. We are currently working on Phase 2 and expect this phase of meetings to continue until the end of July.

During Phase 2 we will be reviewing legislation, policies, current practices, literature, relevant date and past recommendations including those from the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate and the Auditor General of Alberta. We will also be consulting with Albertans with lived experience as well as front-line staff. This is a panel which is at times both heartwrenching and compelling as many different perspectives are being presented and stories shared.

I am very pleased to have been given the honour and privilege to serve on this committee, as difficult as the mandate may be. I thank all of those who have met with me within the Lethbridge area to share their perspective on this incredibly sensitive and important issue. More information on the Child Intervention Panel, its mandate, members and directions on how you can provide your input towards the panel’s recommendations can be found on the Alberta Government webpage at

As always, constituents are welcome to visit my office, located at 543 13 St. S. to share their thoughts or to access resources. I can also be contacted by email at lethbridge.east@assembly.ab.ca or by phone at 403 320 1011. My office will be closed next week from Monday, May 15 to Wednesday, May 17 to accommodate annual staff training, we will re-open Thursday, May 18 at 9:30 a.m.

A reminder that the next in the series of ethnic culinary delights at the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association is “A Taste of Hungary” on Friday, May 26. It promises to be a great cultural and culinary experience and I hope to see many of you there!