Throne Speech highlights supports for children, job creation and economic diversification

A new child benefit plan will help 380,000 children living in low-income households, while government works to create new jobs and opportunities, build on traditional economic strengths, diversify markets and products, and increase accountability and responsible public fiscal management.

“We are addressing the energy price shock with continued, focused efforts to diversify markets for our energy products with a new pipeline, major investments in infrastructure priorities and economic diversification, and help for families facing immediate hardship. We will do so in partnership with industry, other Canadian governments, Indigenous peoples, municipalities and all Albertans.”

Other highlights of the government’s agenda include:

• proposed legislation to end predatory lending;
• the establishment of an energy diversification advisory committee and an oil sands advisory group to enhance economic diversification and job creation;
• a bill to implement Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan;
• a commitment to reform agencies, boards and commissions for better oversight, stewardship and accountability; and
• a pledge to repeal Bill 22 and engage with Indigenous communities on consultation.

“Albertans want an economy that is resilient to energy price swings, public services that are well-managed and efficiently financed, and a society that cares for the vulnerable and opens doors for our children and grandchildren. This next legislative session will go far in accomplishing those goals.”

Highlights

Highlights from the 2016 Speech from the Throne and the government’s plan to:

• Diversify energy markets
• Pursue a coherent and effective economic strategy
• Invest in a greener, more sustainable economy
• Take a responsible approach to public finances
• Make democratic reforms to ensure accountability

Diversifying Energy Markets

• Continued intergovernmental engagement on pipelines
• Show leadership on climate change
• Work towards a permanent energy regulatory regime that is effective and predictable

Action on Income Security, Diversification and Job Creation

• Child Benefit Plan to provide $340 million for up to 380,000 children in low-income families
• Legislation to protect Albertans in economic distress from predatory lending
• Expand access to workforce and skills training and retraining for the unemployed
• Continue to invest $34 billion in necessary infrastructure while retaining jobs
• Support small- and medium-sized business with venture capital, updated credit union legislation and a new Promoting Job Creation and Diversification Act
• Modernize royalties to promote innovation, efficiency, transparency and accountability
• Implement the Alberta Petrochemicals Diversification Program
• Establish the Energy Diversification Advisory Committee

Investing in a Clean Energy Future

• Climate Leadership Implementation Act to put the Climate Leadership Plan into action
• Reinvest revenues from the carbon levy into creating jobs and economic diversification
• Create an energy efficiency agency to help families, businesses and communities reduce energy costs and greenhouse gases
• Create the Oil Sands Advisory Group to advise government

Responsible Public Financial Management

• Budget 2016 will take a prudent and balanced approach to fiscal plans
• Protect health care and education services
• Public spending will be managed carefully and efficiently to find all possible economies
• Reform of Agencies, Boards and Commissions Act for better oversight, stewardship and accountability of public agencies, boards and commissions

Ongoing Democratic Reform

• Receive the report from the All-Party Special Committee on Ethics and Accountability
• Present legislation on key democratic reform issues in the fall

Other Legislation

• Repeal Bill 22, engage Indigenous communities on consultation
• Consult on a new Indigenous People’s Sacred Ceremonial Objects Repatriation Act
• Act to Implement a Supreme Court Ruling Governing Essential Services
• Invite public and municipal government comment on a modern Municipal Government Act
• Modernize Enforcement of Provincial Offences Act to allow police and judiciary to focus on major offences by simplifying management of minor offences
• Amend the Securities Act for modernization, national harmonization and streamlining