(Dreamstime)

By The Canadian Press

"Contentious"

Alberta’s spring legislature session wraps up with passage of four new bills

May 30, 2024 | 9:28 AM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government capped off the spring legislature sitting today after passing bills slammed by critics as undemocratic power grabs.

One proposed law, which would give the United Conservative Party government the ability to overturn municipal bylaws, passed debate in the house before members adjourned for the summer.

Backlash from municipalities about the bill going too far spurred the U-C-P to make amendments and claw back a plan for cabinet to be able to quickly fire mayors and councillors.

Municipal leaders have said the changes don’t provide guardrails to prevent the province from strong-arming municipal decision-making.

Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver has defended the bill, saying the province has legal authority over municipalities.

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Bills passed earlier this week would push provincial elections into the fall, allow Smith’s government to veto federal funding to municipalities and universities, and pave the way for a sweeping health-care restructuring.

Opposition New Democrats have accused the government of running roughshod over the democratic process by limiting debate in the legislature.

(The Canadian Press)

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