It is crucial that the Alberta government responds quickly and decisively during emergencies to protect Albertans and the communities where we live. While Alberta already had a strong emergency management framework; the Emergency Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, provides clarity and transparency to ensure that the province effectively manages emergencies more quickly.
Municipalities are critical partners in an emergency. They have the best on-the-ground information that is needed for an emergency response. Amendments made under Bill 21 ensure Alberta’s government can, when needed, assume authority over local emergency response efforts in situations where additional provincial oversight and support is required. These changes define provincial authorities and will help foster coordination during particularly challenging situations.
To ensure that emergencies are responded to in the most effective, efficient manner, amendments clarify and enhance the province’s discretionary authority to conduct emergency wildfire response on all provincial lands, both inside and out of the Forest Protection Area. These changes help ensure that, when large or multi-jurisdictional wildfires occur, Alberta’s government can step in to support and potentially lead response efforts.
Bill 21 helps government to protect the supply of water for all communities and ensures water is readily available for priority uses, including public health and safety needs, livestock welfare, critical infrastructure, and critical environmental needs. These proposed amendments could only be used as a last resort if a water-related emergency is declared and would only apply to the geographic area designated within the emergency declaration.
Changes to the Election Act moves Alberta’s set election date from May to October so it does not coincide with the spring and summer wildfire, drought, and flood season. The new set election date would be the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following the election day of the last general election.
Mike Ellis MLA, Calgary-West
MLA – Calgary West Mike Ellis proudly serves the following Communities: Aspen Estates, Aspen Woods, Christie Park, Discovery Ridge, Signal Hill, Springbank Hill, Strathcona
