Throne Speech signals new era, new focus on Albertans’ priorities

Press Release
Nov 17, 2014

Property rights and new accountability measures top the Prentice government’s fall agenda.

The fall legislative session kicked off today with a Speech from the Throne that promised new legislation to enhance accountability.

Bill 1, focused on respecting property rights, was introduced by Premier Jim Prentice and will be the foundation of a new relationship between government and property owners.
“Respect, integrity and accountability will be the watchwords of this new government as we position Alberta for continued prosperity in the years ahead. First and foremost, government serves its citizens, and that will be our guiding principle as we build an even better quality of life for all Albertans.”

Jim Prentice, Premier
Other highlights from the throne speech, read today by His Honour, Colonel (Ret’d) the Honourable Donald S. Ethell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, include:

• Developing a new climate change framework
• Maintaining a contingency fund to protect priority programs from revenue volatility and respond to emergencies
• Developing a long-term transportation strategy
• Establishing a five-year and 25-year capital plan to meet health, education, seniors’ care and skill training infrastructure needs
• Advancing comprehensive flood mitigation work
• Introducing a straightforward budget presentation to ensure Albertans have a clearer understanding of the province’s finances
• Introducing legislation to enhance protection for condo owners and buyers

Backgrounder

Speech from the Throne Highlights

The following are highlights of initiatives outlined in the November 2014 Speech from the Throne

A focused commitment to sound, conservative fiscal principles

• Complete the results-based budgeting review.
• Maintain a contingency fund to protect priority programs from revenue volatility and respond to emergencies.
• Introduce a straightforward budget presentation.
• Issue a semi-annual update on Alberta’s Savings Plan.
• Maintain a firm fiscal foundation characterized by low taxes and no sales tax.

Ending entitlements and restoring the public trust

• Introduce new accountability legislation and complementary Treasury Board directives to:
• Strengthen conflict-of-interest guidelines for political staff;Review agencies, boards and commissions to ensure they are performing to the maximum benefit of Albertans.
  • Extend cooling-off periods for political staff and senior civil servants;
  • Eliminate excessive severance packages for political staff;
  • Eliminate sole-source contracts in all but exceptional circumstances; and
  • Clarify the distinction between the role of registered lobbyists and government consultants.
• Review agencies, boards and commissions to ensure they are performing to the maximum benefit of Albertans.

Maximizing the value of our natural resources and respecting property rights

• Foster a culture of respect with the introduction of legislation respecting property rights.
• Enhance market access, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, for our exports.
• Develop a focused regional strategy to expand Alberta’s presence in key markets.
• Work within the New West Partnership to address Canada’s market access challenges.
• Collaborate with other provinces, territories and the federal government to expand our export and transportation capacity.
• Seek a renewal of the pan-Canadian Agreement on Internal Trade.
• Support innovation in the development of new products, including value-added opportunities in the resource sector.
• Make annual investments to enhance agricultural research and innovation, and further develop the food-processing industry.
• Move forward with the new Rural Economic Development Action Plan and implementation of the Rural Alberta Business Centre.
• Develop a long-term transportation strategy.
• Work in partnership with employers, municipalities and the federal government to integrate labour force strategies.
• Support the integration of individuals who are under-represented in the workforce, including people with disabilities.

Establishing our province as an environmental leader

• Develop a new tailings management framework.
• Protect the Athabasca River and its neighbouring ecosystems.
• Develop a new climate change framework.

Media inquiries

Emily Woods
780-668-8617
Office of the Premier

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