If passed, the Justice Statutes Amendment Act will update the Provincial Court Act, the Legislative Assembly Act, the Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act, the Sale of Goods Act, the Referendum Act and the Trustee Act.
“I want to thank Premier Smith and my colleagues for supporting my request to advance this bill. Increasing the civil claims limit will increase access to affordable legal services for Albertans. I commend the provincial court and the chief judge for their work to make this a reality.
“The Legislative Assembly Security Service protect our democracy by ensuring the security of the legislature. Providing these officers with the tools they need – including firearms – to protect all of those who occupy this building, including themselves and their fellow officers, is a top priority for our government.”
Provincial Court (Civil Claims Limit) Amendment Act
Amendments would allow more claims to be dealt with through the provincial court, which uses simplified and cost-effective processes and is located in 72 communities throughout the province. The last time the civil claims limit for the provincial court was increased was in 2014.
These proposed amendments are supported by the Provincial Court of Alberta and the Court of King’s Bench.
“This increase in jurisdictional limits will enhance the court’s ability to fulfil its mission to provide fair, accessible and timely justice for Albertans.”
“This is a welcome, positive development for the business community. Enabling timelier dispute resolution will help claimants spend more time on their business operations and free up resources across the justice system broadly – a win for Alberta.”
The proposed improvements will also allow future increases to the civil claims limit in the provincial court. Currently, the limit is $50,000. Amendments will permit government to adjust the limit by regulation up to a maximum of $200,000.
Legislative Assembly Amendment Act
Following the 2014 shooting on Parliament Hill and a 2019 suicide at the Alberta legislature, the sergeant-at-arms and Speaker of the legislative assembly initiated a security review.
The review concluded that Legislative Assembly Security Service should be allowed to carry firearms in the legislature building and surrounding precinct.
This change would better protect the hard-working staff at the legislature and help bring Alberta in line with many other jurisdictions.
“With this legislation, members of the legislative assembly and citizens alike will continue to feel safe and secure as they work, serve and visit the legislative grounds.”
Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act
The proposed revision would make it easier to collect child and spousal support payments from ex-partners and spouses who live across the country. Alberta is working with other jurisdictions to allow the electronic exchange of certified documents to support interjurisdictional enforcement orders.
British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia have already completed comparable legislative amendments in support of this transition. The remaining provinces are working towards completing their own changes.
“Given Legal Aid Alberta assists individuals who have partners and parents in many other areas of the country, this amendment to the Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act will help enhance the ability of our clients to collect critical child and spousal support payments in a more timely and efficient manner, putting money in the hands of those who need it the most.”
Sale of Goods Act
Changes proposed to this act would eliminate bureaucratic record-keeping requirements for buyers to get good title when grain is sold and delivered at a grain elevator. It will make the language in Alberta’s Sale of Goods Act the same as the federal Canada Grain Act, to help avoid confusion.
“This is what red tape reduction is all about. The proposed amendments to this legislation will make life better for everyday Albertans and job creators, whether it’s improving access to justice, speeding up collection of child support or reducing needless paperwork for grain dealers and elevator operators. Improving life in our province is always the objective.”
Trustee Act
The proposed amendments would provide certainty that a trust will not fail if it is temporarily without a trustee and remove the transfer of trust property to the court, allowing it to move directly to the new trustee once appointed.
Referendum Act
Alberta’s government is strengthening democracy by ensuring Albertans have a direct say on important matters.
The proposed adjustment would clarify that the requirement to bring a resolution to the legislature only applies to constitutional questions.