Earlier in the spring sitting, the Government amended the Standing Orders to allow the option to adjourn the Assembly in response to public safety concerns. The suspension is to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and not due to any confirmed cases amongst MLAs or staff.
The need to pause the spring sitting was discussed with the Official Opposition earlier today. The Government House Leader has advised the Speaker that at this time the spring sitting should be paused for two weeks until May 17, 2021.
“With COVID-19 continuing to spread across Alberta, the Government has determined that having MLAs return to Edmonton from all over the province after constituency week is no longer prudent. Suspending proceedings is the right thing to do as case counts increase. We continue to strongly encourage all Albertans to follow their local health guidelines and get vaccinated when it’s their turn. We all have to do our part to get through to the other side of this pandemic.”
Cabinet will continue to meet virtually and Legislative Committees will also continue their work with Members participating remotely. Members can be called back to the Legislature in the event of an emergency that requires the Assembly to meet.