Fall 2003 Sitting Of The Legislature Closes:

Following the passage of 21 bills during the Fall sitting and 41 in the spring, the third session of the 25th Alberta Legislature wrapped up on December 3rd. Key bills passed include: the Insurance Amendment Act; the Climate Change and Emissions Management Act; the Family Law Act; and the Post-Secondary Learning Act. Bill 56, the Alberta Court of Justice Act, has been carried over to allow for further consultation with justice stakeholders. The Alberta Legislature sits more scheduled hours a day than any provincial government, with a total sitting time among the longest of any province.

Debt Paid Down, Capital Account Boosted With Sustainability Fund Surplus:

Additional money in the Sustainability Fund will be used to pay down Alberta's debt and boost the Capital Account if revenues stay strong through to March 31, 2004. Hon. Patricia Nelson made the announcement in releasing the 2nd Quarter fiscal update for 2003/04. Forecast revenues would see the Sustainability Fund surpass its $2.5 billion target, which means the Alberta government could set $428 million aside to further pay down Alberta's debt and also set $428 million aside to help pay for needed infrastructure. Alberta's accumulated debt, less cash set aside for future repayment, is now forecast to be $4.2 billion. The government approved $62 million from the contingency allowance in 2nd Quarter for various Ministry initiatives including increased funding for Alberta school boards, and to address caseload and cost increases in social assistance and training programs. The potential allocations to the Capital Account and debt repayment are possible despite more than $900 million being paid out in disaster assistance. The government provided $794 million in assistance related to the BSE crisis, partly offset by $407 million in increased agriculture transfers from the federal government. The province also provided $113 million to fight forest fires. The money for disaster assistance was withdrawn from the Sustainability Fund. Total revenue is $2.15 billion higher than estimated in the budget due primarily to stronger than forecast non-renewable resource revenues.

Bill 43 Amendments Introduced:

The Alberta government has proposed amendments to Bill 43, the Post-Secondary Learning Act 2003. The proposed amendments address issues raised by stakeholders about a proposed new tuition fee policy, accountability for student organizations, powers of general faculty and academic council, and the Campus Alberta Board of Accreditation and Co-ordination. Amendments included a new tuition fee policy will replace the current 30% cap with other controls to ensure tuition increases continue to be predictable and manageable. Institutions where tuition constitutes less than 30% of their operating expenditures will continue to be regulated exactly as they are now - limited to a maximum annual increase of $276 in 2004/05, with annual adjustments based on Alberta Consumer Price Index (CPI). Institutions that go over the 30% threshold will only be permitted maximum annual increases of CPI plus two per cent - up to a maximum of five percent total. Student bylaws will be retained in the Act, and student accountability sections have been amended to reflect the need for accountability to students and to clarify that the Minister may only launch an investigation of a student association in cases of "financial irregularities". The Campus Alberta Quality Council will replace the Campus Alberta Board of Accreditation and Coordination. The new council will review proposals for new degree programs from Alberta's public and private post-secondary institutions to ensure they meet quality standards, and make recommendations to the Minister. Universities will be required to submit long-range development plans.

Coverage of Spiriva:

The drug spiriva, used in an inhaler, will be a special authorization benefit of the government sponsored Alberta Blue Cross drug plan effective January 1, 2004. As a special authorization drug, patients must meet criteria before coverage will be granted. The patient’s physician must complete a Drug Special Authorization Request form, including the pertinent patient information and send it to ABC for assessment. There is no backdating of coverage of prescriptions received prior to January 1, 2004.

Public Input:

Recreation Corridors Legislative Review
MLA Committee to Listen to Albertans on Federal-Provincial Relations
Electronic Waste Recycling

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