EDMONTON, AB (May 29, 2015): Today, Wildrose released a report outlining a series of proposals to empower MLAs, reform legislative committees, end bad practices and bring in new initiatives to reform Alberta’s legislature.
Restoring Trust: Wildrose Proposals to Strengthen Alberta’s Legislature and Democracy was released today in Edmonton by Wildrose Leader Brian Jean and Wildrose House Leader Nathan Cooper.
“After 44 years of PC rule, Albertans expect their legislature to be cleaned up and work for their best interests,” Jean said. “Never before has there been a better chance for reform. Wildrose received a strong mandate to fight for democracy and accountability during the election and I believe these proposals will be a critical step in restoring the trust of Albertans.”
Highlights of the proposals include:
- End politicization of the legislative calendar by mandating fixed dates for session
- Expand private members’ business
- End government “super majorities” on committees
- Create new committees to review legislation
- Introduce opposition days
- Mandate responses to Written Questions or Motions for Returns within a shortened time period
Cooper said any of these reforms are designed to put MLAs back to work, empower the work of committees and end the practice of governments bulldozing new laws through the legislature.
“We’ve adopted many of the best practices from other jurisdictions to ensure the people’s legislature once again works for them,” Cooper said. “We look forward to working with Premier Rachel Notley and Government House Leader Brian Mason to hopefully bring in many of these badly needed reforms.”