Spring Session Recap: High Stakes, High Impact
It was a busy spring session in the legislature with 17 new government bills to debate, and many questions to ask in Question Period. Our 2025 Spring Session wrapped up mid- May and has been described by Alberta Counsel as a time of “high drama, big stakes, and sharp divides.” That sounds about right to me.
Over the course of this session, we debated everything from health care and elections to education, policing, and auto insurance. It’s been a fast-paced and, at times, contentious sitting — one that will have lasting impacts on Albertans across the province.
This spring, my team and I focused on several key areas:
- Provincial Budget 2025: With a 5.2 billion dollar deficit and looming US tariffs, how we spend our precious tax dollars was an integral part of our March debate time.
- Health Care Restructuring: Through Bill 55 we saw significant changes to healthcare legislation to create the framework for the restructuring of healthcare, we also saw the first clauses facilitating the creation of private hospitals. A grave concern.
- Elections and Democracy: Bill 54 is bringing back corporate and union donations to politics, eliminating vouching at the polls, and making it harder for some people to vote. This bill also lowered the threshold for citizen led referendums. The Alberta Elections Commissioner and First Nations chiefs raised significant concerns about how this bill affects our democratic right to vote.
- Public Safety and Policing: Bill 49 moves toward a new provincial police force, drawing skepticism over its cost, purpose, and lack of public support.
- Wildlife and Resource Management: Bill 41 modernized hunting legislation to bring it in line with Federal legislation and other provinces. The bill did not do anything to address the concerns I’ve been hearing from Albertans surrounding how hunting and trapping limits are defined.
- Auto Insurance, Municipal Governance, and More: The province continues to tinker with the clauses from controversial Bill 20 last fall that took power away from municipalities. They also included a bill that largely removes the ability of people to sue in the case of automobile accidents.
Concerns and Criticism
While the government claims these changes aim to streamline systems, modernize, and increase efficiency, serious concerns have emerged:
- Lack of Consultation: Many bills were introduced with little to no public engagement, leaving communities, municipalities, and frontline professionals sidelined. Decisions that are not based in science, data, or made in collaboration with experts and all stakeholders create questions surrounding the legitimacy of those assessments and creates further distrust.
- Transparency and Accountability: There’s growing unease over the government’s increasing ability to change legislation behind closed doors and limit access to information — particularly troubling in areas like health care procurement and election oversight. Many bills also concentrated power in a Minister’s office, further eroding transparency.
- Undermining Democratic Safeguards: Bills like 54 raise legitimate fears about voter suppression, reduced oversight, and the reintroduction of big money into Alberta politics.
- Unproven, Expensive Plans: The push for a provincial police force (Bill 49) comes without a clear cost analysis or public mandate, despite repeated opposition from municipalities and law enforcement experts.
On top of all this, there was significant discussion this spring about separation from Canada. I fear that the divisiveness of our politics is leading people down a dangerous path to think that separation from Canada will solve our problems. The government has not outright denounced separatism and even that has threat of instability has put a chill on economic investment and sewn further division in our society. I stand with all of you to build a better Alberta that works with other provinces and the federal government to build a better Canada. I’m happy to further discuss what I know is a contention issue for some, but this issue is clear for me. I am a proud Albertan and a proud Canadian.
There’s no question that Alberta is at a crossroads. Decisions being made now will shape our public institutions, our environment, and the way we vote for years to come. While change is sometimes necessary, it must be done with transparency, collaboration, and respect for the people it affects most.
Looking Ahead
I am SO HAPPY to be HOME! Trips to and from Edmonton make me miss our rolling eastern slopes, alpine meadows, and lofty peaks more and more.
Summer is my time to reconnect with all of you. I can’t wait to see you and chat at community bbq’s, farmer’s markets, festivals, and events! Summer is a time to reconnect with one another, support our local businesses, and celebrate the communities that make this region such a beautiful and unique place to call home.
Your voices are the foundation of the work I do, and your experiences continue to shape how I advocate for you in the Legislature. If you see me around, don’t be shy. I would love to chat under the Alberta sunshine and share some laughs, serious conversations, or even just watch the sunset.
Wishing you a safe, restful, and joyful summer. I hope to see you out in the community soon.
Sarah Elmeligi
