New Developments and Conclusions

Alberta’s MLAs returned to the Legislature yesterday morning following last week’s constituency break for arguably the busiest time of year for elected officials. Budget 2024 has been tabled, which means we are officially in estimates season.

This is the time where Ministers and staff present their respective portfolios to legislative committees followed by questions from MLAs on both sides of the aisle. Estimates provides an opportunity to examine line items in a more micro fashion than possible on budget day. For anyone with government relations goals, we strongly recommend you take the time to tune into the estimate meetings related to your work to see how this budget could impact your organization.

·         March 11 – Energy and Minerals (7PM)

·         March 11 – Tourism and Sport (7PM)

·         March 12 – Education (8AM/3:30PM)

·         March 12 – Advanced Education (9AM)

·         March 12 – Indigenous Relations (3:30PM)

·         March 13 – Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction (8AM)

·         March 13 – Treasury Board and Finance (9AM/3:30PM)

·         March 13 – Executive Council (3:30PM)

·         March 14 – Technology and Innovation (9AM)

·         March 14 – Public Safety and Emergency Services (9AM)

·         March 18 – Jobs, Economy and Trade (7PM)

·         March 18 – Justice (7PM)

·         March 19 – Health (9AM/3:30PM)

·         March 19 – Transportation and Economic Corridors (10AM)

·         March 19 – Agriculture and Irrigation (3:30PM)

·         March 19 – Arts, Culture and Status of Women (7PM)

·         March 19 – Forestry and Parks (7PM)

·         March 20 – Seniors, Community and Social Services (9AM/3:30PM)

·         March 20 – Immigration and Multiculturalism (9AM)

·         March 20 – Environment and Protected Areas (3:30PM)

·         March 20 – Mental Health and Addictions (7PM)

·         March 20 – Municipal Affairs (7PM)

·         March 21 – Children and Family Services (9AM)

·         March 21 – Affordability and Utilities (9AM)

·         March 21 – Main Estimates Votes (3:30PM)

2017 UCP Leadership Race Investigation Concludes

A nearly half-decade-long investigation by the RCMP has officially been closed. On March 8th, RCMP “K” Division held a press conference to share with media that they would not be issuing charges in relation to the 2017 UCP leadership race that resulted in Jason Kenney becoming the first leader of the party.

RCMP spoke to allegations surrounding the candidacy of Jeff Callaway as well as voter fraud. With respect to Callaway, police did not say much, but reported that “the investigation did not uncover evidence to establish that Callaway, or any other person, committed a criminal offence.”

As for the allegation of voter fraud, RCMP was able to identify less than 200 votes which were potentially an issue; however, those votes would not have materially impacted the outcome of the contest given the 18,289 vote difference between Jason Kenney and Brian Jean’s vote totals.

In the RCMP’s press release, it was written that "we would like to highlight that in investigating allegations of criminality, the thoroughness and completeness of the investigation is the standard that should be assessed and that the lack of criminal charges should not be the test of a successful investigation," said Superintendent Rick Jané of the Alberta RCMP. "In this case, experienced criminal investigators tested these allegations. In the end, Albertans can be confident that a thorough investigation, independent of government, was conducted."

On social media, Jason Kenney indicated he was happy the investigation has concluded and cleared his name.

“I am pleased that the RCMP investigation into the 2017 Untied Conservative Party leadership election has been closed, confirming categorically what I have said all along: that there was no wrong doing on the part of me or my campaign.”

New Faces Enter the NDP Leadership Race

With the cutoff to apply for the NDP leadership contest arriving on March 15th, we are one step closer to learning who the next leader of the official opposition will be.

Late last week, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) Gil McGowan announced that he is officially registered as a candidate in the NDP’s leadership race. As he was sick with COVID-19 at the time of announcing his bid, he shared that he plans on hosting leadership events in Edmonton and Calgary sometime this week.

Source: Twitter

Interestingly, he also shared that “I will NOT be stepping down as AFL president while I participate in the NDP leadership race. I was elected to serve the interests of Alberta workers from AFL-affiliated unions and I intend to continue doing that throughout this spring.”

But McGowan is not the only other person to join the race. In what many have described as the worst kept secret in Alberta politics, former Mayor of Calgary Naheed Nenshi has announced his intention to trade his trademark purple for NDP orange as the party’s next leader.

Source: Nenshi.ca

Rather than hold a large in-person event, he launched in a very similar way to how he entered his first mayoral race – with a short video.

On his website, he tells Albertans that they “are being asked to accept late ambulances and closed ERs, summers filled with wildfire smoke, no action to protect against flood and drought, and growing class sizes with under-resourced teachers.” He also told CBC News that "This party is a formidable political force. It doesn't need a saviour. I'm not coming in to save it. Three quarters of a million Albertans voted for it last time."

Barring any unforeseen entries, it looks like the Alberta NDP ballot will be capped to the six candidates that have announced to date.

The next leader of the opposition (and possibly the next premier) will be one of:

·         Kathleen Ganley

·         Rakhi Pancholi

·         Sarah Hoffman

·         Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse

·         Gil McGowan

·         Naheed Nenshi