Jobs and health care are focus of throne speech

Albertans will benefit from legislation this spring to create jobs, improve health care, keep streets safe and support the most vulnerable.

Bill 1, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Recognition Act, celebrates the 70 years of Her Majesty’s reign. The proposed bill would recognize this historic milestone by recognizing Albertans who have helped change this province for the better through volunteerism, public service and community leadership.

If passed, this legislation would:

Establish awards and scholarships to recognize young Albertans

who are leaders in their communities and in the arts.

Establish a one-time Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal to recognize 7,000 Albertans who have made significant contributions to society.

Highlights of the throne speech include:

Creating jobs by moving forward with Alberta’s Recovery Plan ± a plan to create jobs, diversify the economy and create opportunities for every Albertan.

Addressing cost-of-living pressures through a gas rebate program.

Building health-care capacity so hospitals are better prepared for potential future waves of COVID-19.

Accelerating the Alberta Surgical Initiative to reduce surgical wait times caused by COVID-19.

Strengthening protection for Alberta students by ending the conflict of interest that allows the Alberta Teachers’ Association to investigate its own members.

Expanding school choice by creating more charter schools and improving support for existing charters.

Increasing prenatal financial aid to mothers receiving AISH and Income Support.

Implementing recommendations to improve palliative care.

New legislation to modernize the electricity market.

Legislation to better protect the public from individuals on bail, probation and parole.

Legislation to reform and modernize the financial services sector by allowing reinsurance.

Red tape reduction legislation to advance the goal of eliminating one-third of the provincial government’s regulatory burden.

Other legislation this session will take action on recommendations from the Police Act Review and the Human Trafficking Task Force.

Recognizing Alberta’s unique heritage, in part by naming the Terrace Building after Chief Poundmaker and erecting a memorial to the victims of residential schools on the legislature grounds.

“This session begins at a critical time for Alberta. We are carefully lifting COVID-19 health restrictions and we’re seeing a strong economic turnaround that is bringing jobs and investment to our province. The government’s spring legislative agenda will seize this opportunity and firmly establish Alberta as the best place in the world to work, live, start a business and raise a family.”

Jason Kenney, Premier Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani outlined the legislative lineup and its benefits in her speech from the throne on Feb. 22 to open the third session of Alberta’s 30th legislature.