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From YouTube: Main Estimates - Executive Council
Description
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
I
would
like
to
call
the
meeting
to
order
and
welcome
everyone
in
attendance.
The
committee
has
under
consideration
the
estimates
of
the
executive
Council
for
the
fiscal
year,
ending
March
31
2024.
I'd.
Ask
that
we
go
around
the
table
and
have
members
introduce
themselves
for
the
record
Premier
when
we
get
to
you,
please
introduce
the
officials
who
are
joining
you
at
the
table.
My
name
is
Nicole
Goring
I'm,
the
MLA
for
Edmonton,
Castle,
downs
and
I
will
be
the
chair
of
this
committee
meeting.
We
will
begin
starting
to
my
right.
G
Premier
of
Alberta
MLA
for
Brooks
Medicine,
Hat
and
I'm
joined
today
by
Mark
Parsons
who's,
our
Deputy
minister
of
intergovernmental
relations,
Christopher
McPherson,
who
is
our
Deputy
Clerk
of
executive
Council
and
deputy
secretary
to
Cabinet.
We've
got
Ray
Gilmore,
who
is
our
Deputy
minister
of
executive
Council
and
Dana
hogaman,
who
is
assistant,
Deputy
Minister
and
Senior
Financial
Officer
for
executive
Council.
H
I
So
not
the
MLA
Edmonton,
Strathcona
and
I'm
also
joined
by
Paul
Pritchard,
who
is
our
director
of
research,
one
of
our
anyway
I
went
on
these
days.
We
got
to
figure
out
our
titles.
This
is
how
we
roll
in
the
official
opposition,
one
of
our
lead
policy,
advisors
in
official
operations,
Sarah
Hoffman,
Edmonton.
A
B
Thank
you
I'd
like
to
note
the
following
substitutes
for
the
record:
Miss
Rosen
for
honorable
Miss
Armstrong
hominack
a
few
housekeeping
items
to
address
before
we
turn
to
the
business
at
hand.
Please
note
that
the
microphones
are
operated
by
the
Hansard
staff
committee.
Proceedings
are
live
streamed
on
the
internet
and
broadcast
on
Alberta
assembly
TV.
The
audio
and
video
stream
and
transcripts
of
meetings
can
be
accessed
via
the
Legislative
Assembly
website.
B
Members
participating
remotely
are
encouraged
to
turn
your
camera
on.
While
speaking
and
mute
your
microphone
when
not
speaking,
remote
participants
who
wish
to
be
placed
on
a
speaker's
list
are
asked
to
email
or
message.
The
committee
Clerk
and
members
in
the
room
should
signal
to
the
chair.
Please
set
your
cell
phones
and
other
devices
to
silent
for
the
duration
of
the
meeting
honorable
members.
The
standing
order
set
out
the
process
for
consideration
of
the
main
estimates.
B
A
total
of
two
hours
has
been
scheduled
for
consideration
of
the
estimates
for
the
executive
Council
standing
order,
59.01
sub
7
establishes
the
speaking
rotation
and
speaking
times.
In
brief,
the
premier
or
member
of
executive
Council,
acting
on
the
premier's
behalf,
will
have
10
minutes
to
address
the
committee.
At
the
conclusion
of
the
premier's
comments.
A
50-minute
speaking
block
for
the
official
opposition
begins,
followed
by
a
20-minute
speaking
block
for
independent
members.
B
If
any
and
then
a
20-minute
speaking
block
for
the
government
caucus
individuals
may
only
speak
for
up
to
10
minutes
at
a
time,
but
speaking
times
may
be
combined
between
the
member
and
the
premier
after
the
speaking
times.
We'll
follow
the
same
rotation
of
the
official
opposition,
independent
members
and
the
government
caucus
the
member
and
the
premier
May
each
speak
once
for
a
maximum
of
five
minutes,
or
these
times
may
be
combined
making
it
a
10
minutes
block.
B
If
members
have
any
questions
regarding
the
speaking
times
or
the
rotation,
please
send
an
email
or
message
to
the
committee
clerk
about
the
process
Ministry
officials
may
be
present
and
at
the
direction
of
the
Premier
May
address.
The
committee
Ministry
officials,
seated
in
the
gallery,
if
called
upon,
have
access
to
a
microphone
in
the
gallery
and
are
asked
to
please
introduce
themselves
for
the
record
prior
to
commenting
pages,
are
available
to
deliver
notes
or
other
materials
between
the
gallery
and
the
table.
Attendees
in
the
gallery
may
not
approach
the
table.
B
Space
permitting
opposition
caucus
staff
may
sit
at
the
table
to
assist
their
members.
However,
members
have
priority
to
sit
at
the
table
at
all
times.
If
debate
is
exhausted
prior
to
two
hours,
the
ministry's
estimates
are
deemed
to
have
been
considered
for
the
time
allotted
in
the
schedule,
and
the
committee
will
adjourn.
B
Points
of
order
will
be
dealt
with
as
they
arise
and
individual
speaking
times
will
be
paused.
However,
the
speaking
block
time
and
the
overall
over
all
two-hour
meeting
clock
will
continue
to
run
any
written
material
provided
in
response
to
questions
raised
during
the
main
estimate
should
be
tabled
by
the
premier
in
the
assembly
for
the
benefit
of
all
members.
B
The
vote
on
estimates
and
any
amendments
will
occur
in
Committee
of
Supply
on
March
16
2023
amendments
must
be
in
writing
and
approved
by
parliamentary
Council
prior
to
the
meeting
at
which
they
are
to
be
moved.
The
original
amendment
is
to
be
deposited
with
the
committee
clerk
with
20
hard
copies.
An
electronic
version
of
the
signed
original
should
be
provided
to
the
committee
clerk
for
distribution
to
committee
members.
B
Finally,
the
committee
should
have
the
opportunity
to
hear
both
questions
and
answers
without
interruption
during
the
estimates
debate,
debate
flows
through
the
chair
at
all
times,
including
instances
when
speaking
time
is
shared
between
a
member
and
the
premier
I,
would
now
invite
the
premier
to
begin
with
your
opening
remarks.
You
have
10
minutes.
G
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you
very
much
colleagues.
It's
a
pleasure
to
be
here
for
my
first
budget
estimates
as
premier
of
this
great
Province
I've
already
introduced.
My
colleagues
from
executive
Council
executive
council
is
the
central
coordinating
body
in
the
government
of
Alberta
and
provides
leadership
to
Ministries
to
implement
the
government's
agenda
as
well
as
leadership
to
the
public
service.
It
leads
strategic
planning,
policy,
development
and
policy
coordination
across
government
and
supports
cabinet
decision
making.
Executive
Council
also
leads
interactions
and
Partnerships
with
other
Canadian
governments
as
well
as
International
governments.
G
We
do
that,
particularly
through
our
intergovernmental
relations
function,
executive,
Council
plans
and
manages
state
official
and
working
in-person
visits
involving
government
of
Alberta
Representatives
executive
council's
budget
reflects
a
new
and
modern
structure
for
the
ministry
that
consolidates
international
relations
into
our
intergovernmental
Relations.
Division
international
relations
was
absorbed
into
wise
Yara
shortly
after
became
Premier
and
reflects
my
desire
to
centralize
the
teams
responsible
for
Alberta's
relations
with
Canadian
and
international
governments.
Executive
council's
budget
is
allocated
to
two
programs
in
the
voted
estimates
before
you.
G
The
first
one
program,
one
is
for
the
office
of
the
Premier
executive
Council,
which
includes
the
office
of
the
lieutenant
governor
broke
program.
Two
specifically
relates
to
intergovernmental
relations
so
program.
One
includes
the
following:
the
premier's
office
at
the
legislature
and
the
southern
office
at
McDougall
Center
in
Calgary,
the
office
of
the
Deputy
minister
of
executive
Council,
who
serves
as
head
of
the
public
service
and
provides
policy,
advice,
operations
and
issues,
management,
cabinet
coordination,
office,
provides
organization
and
administrative
support
to
cabinet.
G
The
policy
coordination
office
works
with
cabinet
coordination
office
to
support
legislative
and
policy
agenda,
work
operations
and
Machinery
of
government
works
with
Ministries
tracks,
cross-governmental
programs,
projects
and
issues
the
protocol
office,
which
is
essential
to
building
Partnerships
and
relationships
here
and
internationally,
normally
through
state
official
working
and
private
visits.
The
lieutenant
governor's
office
is,
of
course,
very
important
in
supporting
her
Honor's
responsibility
to
fulfill
her
duties.
G
As
the
king's
representative
program,
two
is
for
intergovernmental
relations
as
mentioned,
and
that
continues
the
important
work
of
Alberta
fighting
for
a
fair
deal
in
the
Federation
and
on
economic
exports,
especially
pipelines
to
improve
Alberta's
role
in
the
Federation.
As
noted,
igr
plays
a
central
role
in
providing
to
me
as
Premier
and
all
government
departments
in
advancing
Alberta's
intergovernmental
interests
across
Canada.
Igr
is
also
responsible
for
Alberta's
internal
trade
policy
and
leading
all
internal
trade
disputes
under
the
Canadian
Free
Trade
Agreement,
and
the
new
s.
G
Thank
you,
Talent
attraction
and
international
Innovation
collaboration
planning
and
coordinating
missions
by
the
premier
and
the
members
of
the
legislative
assembly
of
Alberta
who
are
assigned
to
the
ministry's
U.S
transboundary
organizations
and
facilitating
visits
of
senior
officials
from
foreign
governments
as
well
as
negotiating
and
implementing
memorandums
of
understandings
or
mousse
with
foreign
jurisdictions.
Alberta
has
maintained
offices
abroad
for
more
than
50
years.
G
That's
paying
off
Alberta's
economy
is
poised
to
leave
the
country
in
growth
by
this
this
year
and
the
next
two
years
with
our
GDP
growth
forecast
to
grow
by
2.8
percent
per
year
this
year,
three
percent
next
year
and
2.9
percent
the
year
after
that,
it's
a
positive
trajectory.
That's
expected
to
continue
with
the
decisions
and
initiatives
in
budget
2023
that
we
will
expect
that
we
expect
will
attract
more
investment
than
ever
and
help
businesses
and
entrepreneurs
to
thrive
with
its
strong
focus
on
job
creation,
economic
growth,
diversification
and
investment
attraction.
G
Budget
2023
sets
the
stage
for
Alberta
to
remain
Canada's
economic
engine
for
years
to
come.
In
turn,
Prosperity
supports
government
spending
on
Health,
Care
education
and
the
environment,
Income
Support
programs
and
care
and
support
for
the
vulnerable.
We
see
that
relationship
and
budget
2023
has
passed
its
Investments
and
priorities
will
make
historic
investments
in
health
care
and
education.
G
It's
a
commitment
that
led
this
budget
to
forecast
a
surplus
for
only
the
fourth
time
in
the
last
15
years,
and
it's
a
commitment
that
led
this
government
to
develop
a
new
fiscal
framework,
one
that
adds
more
rigor
around
expense
decisions,
while
still
giving
government
the
flexibility
to
invest
in
the
services
and
programs
that
albertans
rely
on
the
new
fiscal
framework
will
manage
any
future
surpluses.
After
all,
the
hard
work
that
went
into
putting
the
province's
books
in
order
first
is
ballot's
budget
legislation.
G
If
there
is
a
massive
reduction
in
government
revenue
for
some
unforeseen
reason,
he
returned
to
a
balanced
budget
will
be
required
within
two
years.
Next
operational
funding
increases
must
be
below
the
previous
year's
inflation
plus
population
growth.
Governments
traditionally
based
operational
increases
on
guesses
of
future
needs.
This
new
approach
will
avoid
avoid
an
overestimate
and
therefore
overspending
and
third,
we
prepare
for
emergencies,
so
devastating
wildfires
major
flooding
emergencies
happen.
We
have
a
1.5
billion
contingency
fund
to
reduce
or
avoid
supplementary
estimates
in
the
case
of
extraordinary
emergencies.
G
And,
finally,
future
surpluses
can
go
to
only
three
things.
We
have
created
the
Alberta
fund
as
a
short-term
holding
account
until
we
know
the
full
amount
of
a
surplus
that
will
be
achieved
in
a
given
year
of
this,
half
of
any
surplus
will
go
to
paying
down
debt,
so
we
can
reduce
interest
payments
and
create
fiscal
room.
Ultimately,
that
will
set
us
on
a
path
to
pay
off
the
debt
completely.
On
the
other
remaining
amount,
it
can
go
to
debt
reduction,
to
a
savings
or
to
one-time
spending.
G
Some
of
this
will
go
into
the
Heritage
savings
trust
fund
budget
2023
proposes
a
1.8
billion
dollar
net
investment
this
year.
Setting
that
fund
on
a
positive
growth
trajectory
the
last
area.
One-Time
spending
means
that
it
does
not
have
ongoing
operational
funding
attached
to
it
and
will
not
lead
to
higher
government
spending
in
the
future.
G
The
Prudent
new
fiscal
framework
gives
government
the
ongoing
fiscal
strength
to
support
our
economy,
create
Economic,
Opportunity,
invest
in
jobs,
skills
and
families,
reliably
support
health
care
and
education
and
make
Alberta
the
choice
for
investors,
businesses
and
workers
looking
for
a
good
life
for
themselves
and
for
their
children.
Alberta
has
strong
foundations,
including
low
taxes,
a
skilled
and
educated
Workforce,
and
an
efficient
regulatory
environment.
Budget
2023
enhances
our
business
climate
even
further
by
making
strategic
Investments
that
support
key
and
emerging
sectors.
G
If
passed,
budget
2023
will
support
that
future
growth
by
helping
businesses
and
workers
to
thrive
and
by
attracting
more
investment
than
ever
before.
It
will
support
workers
and
families,
transform
the
Health
Care
system
to
improve
services
and
Target
Investments
to
local
solutions
for
safer
communities
in
all.
It
will
make
life
better
in
Alberta,
which
has
been
my
goal
since
day.
One
and
the
fiscal
framework
will
ensure
that
we
manage
our
resources
so
that
we
can
meet
those
needs
well
into
the
future.
Madam
chair
with
that
I'd
be
happy
to
take
questions.
B
B
Thank
you,
member
Renault
Emilia,
before
you
announced
in
Albert.
Thank
you
for
the
next
15
minutes.
Members
of
the
official
opposition
and
the
premier
may
speak
honorable
members.
You
will
be
able
to
see
the
timer
for
speaking
block
both
in
the
committee
room
and
on
Microsoft
teams.
Members.
Would
you
like
to
combine
your
time
with
the
premiers
I'd.
I
Allow
me
to
begin,
first
of
all
by
thanking
everybody
for
being
here
thanking
the
premier
for
her
presentation,
thanking
the
public
officials
who
have
been
working
so
hard
since
our
last
budget
to
try
and
maintain
a
certain
level
of
stability
and
ensuring
that
the
trains
continue
running
over
the
last
12
months,
which
I
know
has
not
been
entirely
easy.
I
was
going
back
through
my
previous
observations
at
the
last
round
of
estimates
and,
interestingly,
the
level
of
instability
in
the
premier's
office
was
a
big
theme.
I
So
obviously
we're
in
here
when
it
comes
to
health
care,
where
we
have
a
government
that
over
three
years
has
a
very
aggressively
and
intentionally
starved
Healthcare
funding
in
this
province.
Reference
to
the
business
plan,
which
shows
that
at
the
most
recent
actuals
in
2021,
showed
that
the
plan
was
for
Alberta
to
have
the
lowest
per
capita
Health
Care
spending
relative
to
BC,
Ontario
and
Quebec,
and
of
course
that
would
mean
that
it
was
probably
the
lowest
per
capita,
with
the
exception
of
perhaps
one
other
province
in
the
country.
I
So
as
a
result
of
that
sort
of
History,
we
of
course
come
into
this
budget.
The
wealthiest
province
in
Canada,
with
33
Healthcare
facilities
with
bed
closures
in
ERS
in
surgeries
in
acute
care
in
Hardesty.
The
ER
has
all
six
bed
Club
beds
closed,
and
all
of
this
has
been
going
on
for
some
time.
So
then
we
come
to
this
budget,
where
the
premier
is
endeavoring
to
argue
that
the
crisis
is
over.
I
Everything
is
fine,
and
we've
now
made
up
for
all
our
mistakes,
but
one
of
the
questions
I
would
like
the
premiere
to
turn
her
attention
to
when
she
is
able
to
respond,
is
to
look
at
the
amount
of
funding
to
this
budget,
so
budget
2000
and
leading
up
to
budget
2023.
We
had
failed
to
fund
on
the
basis
of
Hell
of
population
and
inflation
and
in
fact
we
had
reduced
funding
in
health
care
considerably.
I
We
then,
of
course,
and
then
we
had
a
great
deal
of
of
Crisis
experienced
in
the
lives
of
albertans
each
and
every
day,
ER
wait
times,
ambulance,
delays,
failure
to
find
a
family
doctor,
doctors
leaving
the
province
all
the
things,
surgery,
delays,
real
unfortunate,
hard
felt
impacts
on
the
lives
of
albertans.
So
we
get
to
this
budget
and
the
premier
in
various
contexts,
has
asked
us
to
throw
our
little
party
for
allocating
4.1
percent
increase
to
the
budget.
I
But
we
know
that
inflation
and
population
growth
this
year
was
in
fact
8.6
percent.
So
that
means
that,
had
you
simply
funded
for
healthcare
for
inflation
and
population
growth
and
ignored
the
fact
that
the
the
system
as
a
whole
has
been
going
through
tremendous
chaos
as
a
result
of
the
mismanagement
over
the
last
three
and
a
half
years,
you
would
actually
have
funded
8.6
percent
increase
in
2022,
and
so
that
means
that
we're
about
a
billion
dollars
short
if
we
had
simply
followed
population
and
inflation.
I
Going
back
to
2018-19
we'd
actually
have
1.4
billion
dollars
more
in
our
Health
Care
system,
so
we're
short
anywhere
between
1
billion
and
one
and
a
half
billion
dollars
in
our
health
care
system,
based
on
the
simple
principle
of
population
and
inflation,
ignoring
the
fact
that
we
just
went
through
the
biggest
collection
of
pressures
on
our
Health
Care
system
that
we
have
seen
in
multiple
Generations.
So
my
question
is
to
the
premier:
why
does
she
think
that
the
current
budget
is
adequate,
given
all
the
pressures
that
we
have
seen
now?
I
Now,
according
to
your
strategic
plan
on
priority
two
objective,
four
on
page
21,
the
premier
says
that
she
wants
to
modernize
the
Health
Care
system.
Now,
in
the
past,
Premier
has
argued
that
albertans
should
have
co-pays.
She
has
argued
that
we
should
look
at
having
albertan's
pay,
some
of
the
cost
of
their
visits
to
their
family.
I
Physicians,
she's
argued
in
a
paper
June
of
2021
that
the
government
of
Alberta
could
actually
generate
four
billion
dollars
in
new
user
fees
in
health
care
and
I'm,
just
wondering
if
the
premier
can
talk
about
the
relationship
between
these
very
clear
positions
she
has
taken
in
the
very
not
distant
past
and
the
decision
to
bring
forward
a
budget
with
real
Cuts
real
term
Cuts
in
the
budget.
As
far
as
it
relates
to
the
quality
of
Health
Care
received
by
albertans.
I
You
know
we
see
in
strategic
plan
priority
two
objective:
four:
it
reads:
ensuring
and
accessible
Health
Care
System,
but
we
have
40
000
people
in
Lethbridge
who
don't
have
a
family
doctor.
So
what
exactly
is
the
estimated
time
at
which
we
couldn't
see
those
folks
in
Lethbridge
getting
access
to
a
family
doctor
six
months,
one
year,
two
years,
three
years,
just
curious.
I
G
Our
programs
are
over
65
level
of
programming,
our
Alberta
Works
and
others
who
rely
on
Social.
Services
I
also
know
that
universities
have
been
very
Progressive
at
being
able
to
provide
pharmaceutical
coverage
and
health
coverage
for
their
students,
and
so
I
think
that
this
is
a
system
that
works.
We
on
this
side
believe
in
pre-enterprise
and
and
the
free
market,
and
we
believe
that
so
we
can
have
a
good
partnership
with
every
player
in
the
in
an
arena,
public
and
private,
non-profit
as
as
well
as
other
players.
G
H
E
E
B
G
You
let
me
put
into
the
proper
context
what
I
actually
did
say
on
the
weekend,
one
when
we
were
asked
about
why
it
is.
The
federal
government
has
chosen
to
take
an
aggressive
stance
with
eight
provinces
in
reducing
the
funding.
Part
of
it
is
just
a
different
interpretation
on
how
MRI
and
CT
scans
shall
be
paid
for
in
our
system
and
that
of
seven
other
provinces.
If
it
is
medically
necessary
and
it
is
prescribed
by
a
doctor
or
specialist,
it
absolutely
is
covered.
There
are
certain
circumstances.
G
I
don't
want
to
judge
the
mindset
of
a
particular
patient
why
they
might
decide
to
get
a
second
opinion
or
why
they
might
decide
to
get
an
annual
diagnostic.
But
that
is
something
that
we
have
in
our
system
and
we
are
that's
where
we
disagree
with
the
federal
government
and
we'll
be
seeking
a
legal
opinion
to
be
able
to
maintain
that
level
of
choice
where
medically
necessary
scans
will
be
covered.
G
And
in
fact
this
year's
budget
does
call
for
a
12
million
dollar
increase,
bringing
the
total
to
45
million
dollars,
which
will
provide
an
additional
41,
000
CT
scans
and
an
additional
24
500
MRIs
this
year.
So
we
would
prefer
for
everybody
to
be
able
to
get
their
care
within
a
medically
reasonable
period
of
time
and
I'll
get
to
that
in
a
moment,
because
that
is
one
of
the
principal
reasons
why
we
put
official
administrator
John
Cowell
in
place
when
it
comes
to
family
doctors.
G
The
I
I
would
I
would
hope
that,
with
the
two
billion
dollars
invested
by
our
health
Minister,
he
announced
that
a
couple
of
days
ago,
as
well
as
3
400
new
health
practitioners
that
are
going
to
be
graduated
from
all
of
the
different
programs,
as
well
as
expanding
the
scope
of
practice
for
all
of
our
terrific
Frontline
workers.
That
we
would
be
able
to
create
what
he's
calling
a
medical
home
for
every
single
person
this.
G
As
it
may
say,
the
work
that
our
inter
our
trade
in
Immigration
and
multiculturalism
Minister,
as
well
as
our
Deputy
premier
of
skilled
trades
and
professions,
is
working
on
in
recognizing
foreign
credentials,
as
well
as
attracting
workers
through
different
streams,
so
that
they
can
have
provincial
nominee
status.
I
was
very
pleased
that
we
were
successful
in
asking
for
a
higher
number
of
provincial
nominees.
It
had
traditionally
been
around
6
500.
G
We've
got
that
elevated
to
ten
thousand,
and
it's
going
to
continue
going
up
so
I'm
delighted
to
be
able
to
work
with
my
colleagues
to
see
if
we
can
find
additional
streams.
We
do
have
a
stream
that,
with
an
mou
that
we
have
signed
with
the
Philippines
to
bring
in
LPNs
and
have
a
bridging
program
to
pay
for
the
additional
upgrading
that
needs
to
be
done
to
get
those
individuals
into
the
system
seamlessly,
and
you
will
see
a
whole
lot
more
of
that
when
it
comes
to
additional
dollars
coming
into
the
Health
Care
system.
G
One
thing
that
I
would
have
that
I
observed
when
I
was
last
in
elected
office.
It
was
the
only
time
in
my
life
I've
had
a
health
spending
account
as
a
politician
I
think
it's
950.
Someone
might
have
to
correct
me
on
that,
because
I
haven't
tapped
into
it
yet
there's
others
who've
been
around
the
table
for
15
years.
Who've
had
access
to
that
house.
Menu
account
for
15
years
may
not
agree
with
it
being
applied
to
the
general
taxpayer,
but
I
certainly
do
I
think.
G
If
politicians
are
going
to
vote
for
themselves
to
have
health
spending
accounts,
then
they
should
be
prepared
to
start
providing
that
to
to
the
taxpayers
who
pay
our
salaries
and
pay
our
benefits
and
and
those
around
the
table
who
have
used
Health
spending
accounts.
Maybe
they'd
like
to
share
at
some
point
how
they've
used
their
health
spending
account,
but
it
pays
for
all
the
things
not
currently
covered
by
by
public
insurance,
and
that
includes
eyeglasses
and
eye
exams.
That
includes
additional
fees
that
you
might
pay.
G
If
you
go
to
a
dentist
or
if
you
have
a
pharmaceutical
that
you
that
you
need
to
pay
a
co-payment
on
pays
for
Chiropractic
and
Physiotherapy,
and
additional
medical
equipment,
home
care
and
medical
support,
there's
a
whole
long
long
list
that
can
the
Canada
Revenue
Agency
identifies
it's
dozens
and
dozens
of
services
that
would
be
covered
by
a
health
spending
account.
So
my
comments
about
empowering
more
people
begins
with
the
government
making
an
allocation
into
that
account.
And
then,
if
people
like
it,
we
can
expand
the
services.
G
We
can
also
have
a
conversation
about
whether
we
can
make
the
dollars
into
that
account
tax-free.
Maybe
we
can
encourage
employers
and
non-profits
to
to
donate
to
them,
and
that
would
allow
for
us
to
balance
the
system
so
that
we
focus
on
all
of
the
things
that
go
towards
keeping
people
well,
which
we
also
believe
will
take
pressure
off
the
system.
G
So
my
comments
around
how
spending
accounts
or
just
to
try
to
bring
some
parity
to
the
taxpayer,
who
pay
for
all
of
our
salaries
and
benefits
so
that
it's
not
just
politicians
who
have
health
spending
accounts,
the
last
area
on
population
and
inflation.
We
I'm
not
sure
where
the
question
asker
may
I
refer
to
him
as
nottler.
Is
it
going
to
result
in
a
another
point
of
order?
You
can
say
thank
you.
G
Ms
Nutley
asked
the
question
on
in
population
and
inflation,
our
calculation,
when
we
look
in
the
rearview
mirror,
which
is
the
actual,
was
6.2
percent
inflation
plus
population.
The
reason
we
don't
look
on
a
forward
basis
because
it's
almost
always
wrong.
It's
almost
always
overstated
and
a
point
of
fact:
I
think
that
there
are
some
commentators
on
some
of
the
social
media
that
are
saying
see.
Inflation
is
already
coming
down.
So
that's
part
of
the
reason
why
you
want
to
make
sure
that
you're
not
overestimating
what
the
future
spending
might
be.
G
Of
course,
one
of
the
big
fiscal
anchors
the
Finance
Minister
had
was
that
he
wanted
to
make
sure
that
we
were
bringing
our
overall
cost
of
government
down
to
the
same
level
that
we
see
in
the
other
large
provinces,
British,
Columbia,
Ontario
and
Quebec
on
a
per
capita
basis
and
mission
accomplished.
That's
what
we've
managed
to
do
in
this
budget.
G
We
also
had
some
really
excellent
collaborative
discussions
happening
around
the
table
that
allowed
for
us
to
get
get
deals
signed
with
all
of
our
Frontline
workers
and
in
Collective
agreements,
and
so
we
have
a
moderated
increase
year
over
year
on
on
those
salary
contracts,
and
so
we
we
made
sure
that
we
covered
those
costs
and
covered
the
increase
associated
with
hiring
more
individuals
to
keep
up
with
population
growth.
And
that's
part
of
the
reason
why
we
were
able
to
come
in
at
a
little
bit
less.
G
G
The
other
thing
that
I
that
we
need
to
do
is
make
sure
that
we're
keeping
the
money
invested
in
the
Heritage
savings
trust
fund,
and
so
the
Heritage
savings
trust
fund,
as
it
grows,
will
increase
the
investment
income.
That's
the
other
part
of
that
paper
that
Ms
notley
mentioned
increase
investment
income
so
that,
ultimately,
we
can
also
start
using
that
money
for
operational
reasons,
as
well
as
to
reduce
taxes.
So
that's
the
whole
philosophy,
I
believe
there
were
five
questions.
B
I
Well,
thank
you.
Thank
you
very
much,
I
think
I'm,
mostly
going
to
move
on
here.
I
will
say
it's
it's
interesting.
You
know
the
the
premier
very
much
celebrates
her
ideology
of
choice
and
free
enterprise.
When
it
comes
to
Health,
Care
I
would
emphasize
our
values
of
universal
coverage,
regardless
of
income
focused
on
health
care
for
everyone.
I
So
I
guess
that's
just
a
difference
that
we're
going
to
find,
and
that
is
why,
of
course,
we
still
see
a
real
cut
in
funding,
taking
into
account
population
and
inflation
and
that
wasn't
really
addressed
by
the
premier's
comments.
Nonetheless,
I
want
to
move
to
a
different
topic
and
I
will,
for
the
purposes
of
the
chair,
just
refer
to
a
business
plan.
I
Council
estimates
line
one
1.1
on
page
93.,
so
and
I
just
like
to
talk
very
briefly
about
the
premier's
budget,
which
does
appear
to
propose
a
20
increase
in
the
funding
dedicated
specifically
to
the
premier's
office,
and
I
am
curious
about
what
those
increased
costs
are
going
to.
My
understanding
is
that
when
it
comes
to
size
of
government,
we've
actually
had
a
little
bit
of
a
surprising
pivot
by
this
Premier,
with
respect
to
leaning
towards
large
government,
at
least
in
certain
unique
spots.
I
So
you
know
when
I
first
became
Premier
I
had
12
Ministries
when
the
former
Premier
Jason
Kenney
first
became
Premier,
he
had
23
and
I,
see
that
this
Premier
has
27,
including
two
without
portfolio
and
then,
of
course,
a
whole
range
of
people
who
are
Parliamentary
secretaries.
Nonetheless,
from
what
we
can
tell
it
looks
as
though
the
premier's
number
of
Staff
have
also
gone
up
in
her
office,
and
I
am
curious
about
that,
but
I'm
wondering
if
she
could
just
confirm
how
many
fees
that
she
has
working
in
her
office.
I
I
So
I
would
like
in
particular
to
see
the
job
descriptions
and
the
salaries
posted
for
the
premier's
chief
of
staff,
Marshall
Smith,
as
well
as
her
executive
director,
Rob
Anderson,
as
well
as
that
for
your
manager
of
Special
Projects,
all
of
whom
have
been
working
in
your
office
since
October.
So
those
contracts
should
be
publicly
available.
They're
not
why
not
as
well
I'd
like
if
the
premier
could
provide
the
job
descriptions
for
each
of
those
positions.
F
I
I
I
We
know
that
the
premier
has
talked
about
Consulting
on
a
100
million
dollar
program
pilot
project
that
has
been
described
by
officials
as
being
potentially
costing
up
to
20
billion
dollars.
Were
it
to
go
ahead.
We
know
the
premier
herself
was
a
big
promoter
of
this
strategy
that
it
was
an
idea
that
was
envisioned
by
a
group
called
sustaining
Alberta's
energy
networks,
and
the
premier
was
a
lobbyist
for
this
policy
when
she
was
president
of
the
Alberta
Enterprise
Group.
I
We
also,
of
course
know
that
has
been
posed
by
the
RMA
Scotiabank
Chambers
of
Commerce
landowners,
environmentalists
and,
of
course,
the
current
environment
Minister
so
and
then,
of
course,
we've
seen
a
number
of
strange
links
between
people
associated
with
those
organizations
and
and
packs
that
are
very
involved
in
the
upcoming
election
campaign.
Now
so
I
guess
the
first
thing
I'd
like
to
do
one
of
the
people.
So
we
know
the
premier
was
a
lobbyist.
Now
she
is
Premier.
I
I
Would
apply
to
watch
the
other
person
yep?
No
we're
not
quite
there,
yet
we're
just
looking
for
a
whether
indeed
Mr
Kinnear
also
received
a
letter
from
the
ethics
commissioner,
given
that
he
also
had
a
previous
relationship
with
the
advocacy
group
that
was
promoting
R
star
and
whether
you
would
be
willing
to
table
that
as
well.
Given
the
important
object
of
adhering
to
the
conflict
of
interest
act,
which
specifically
references
these
issues
so
I'll
leave
it
there.
G
Thank
you,
madam
chair
I,
have
nothing
to
table
from
the
ethics
commissioner,
with
respect
to
that
particular
program.
The
the
issues
that
she
raised
with
me
I'm,
dealing
with
through
the
company
that
I
owned
with
my
husband
and
blind
trust
for
my
investments.
Those
are
the
the
only
two
issues
the
ethics
commissioner
has
raised
with
me.
I'll
have
to
get
back
to
you
in
table.
G
If
there
are
any
issues
related
to
the
the
the
staff
member
that
I
have
I
I,
doubt
it
because
the
staff
member
never
got
paid
any
money
through
the
advocacy
work
that
he
did
so
I'll
move
on
to
to
the
fourth
the
question
again
in
reverse
order.
The
person
question
is
a
yak
farmer,
he's
a
landowner
and
he
was
doing
survey
work
as
a
an
independent
individual
who
was
very
concerned
about
the
level
of
liability
that
was
accruing
on
land.
I
mean
it's
no
secret.
G
When
some
of
those
companies
go
belly
up
as
tried
and
did
the
Sequoia
did
as
many
others
did,
then.
Those
well
sites
end
up
Landing
in
the
lap
of
the
orphan
well
Association,
and
when
that
occurred
in
the
previous
administration,
they
ended
up
having
to
come
up
with
I
think
it
was
265
million
dollars
to
lend
the
orphan
well
Association
in
order
to
cover
that
liability.
F
G
Well,
sites
and
it
really
got
the
industry
going
it.
We
have
a
I,
remember
speaking
with
with
one
person
who
told
me
that
he
got
into
the
industry
20
years
ago
to
do
well-site
recovery,
and
it
was
the
first
time
that
he's
done
well.
Site
recovery
now
he's
becoming
quite
expert
at
it.
We
also
have
a
number
of
indigenous
companies
for
whom
this
program
was
very,
very
popular
popular,
and
they
have
have
also
asked
if
there's
a
way
that
we
could
continue
to
make
sure
that
we
don't
lose
this
momentum.
G
That
no
government
has
figured
out
how
to
clean
up
not
even
the
the
previous
government
of
Ms
notley,
and
that
is
the
reason
why
we
are
doing
the
consultation
with
a
number
of
different
groups.
We've
had
we
have
six
hours
of
indigenous
consultation
that
we
are
doing
by
law,
because
whenever
you
make
decisions
that
impact
resources,
there
is
a
requirement
to
do
indigenous
consultation.
That's
why
it's
not
quite
done
yet.
We've
also
done
consultation
with
municipalities.
I
remember
when
I
ran
last
time.
G
Around
Calmar
is
a
municipality
that
has
a
number
of
inactive
well
sites
within
their
jurisdiction.
My
own
home
riding
a
Medicine
Hat,
also
has
well
sites
that
need
to
be
cleaned
up
within
their
jurisdiction.
Our
first
nations
are
particularly
Keen
to
have
these
well
sites
cleaned
up,
because
when
you
have
a
small
territory,
if
you
don't
have
these
well,
so
it's
cleaned
up.
It
can
sterilize
the
land
around
it.
G
Not
only
me
remember,
I
was
a
landowner
Advocate
when
I
got
into
public
policy,
so
I
became
acquainted
with
this
abandoned
well
problem,
all
the
way
back
in
1997
and
so
finding
other
landowners
who
felt
the
same
grave
concern
that
I
did
that
this
was
a
liability
that
was
continuing
to
get
punted
forward
and
would
not
be
addressed.
Is
the
principal
motivation
why,
when
I
got
elected,
I
asked
for
a
an
approach
that
would
be
very
narrow,
so
focused
on
once
again
worst
Wells.
It's
called
the
liability
management
incentive
pilot
program.
G
The
consultation
amount
that
the
minister
Guthrie
has
suggested
that
we
would
be
able
to
potentially
consider
would
be
a
hundred
million
dollars
so
that
it's
a
very
confined
program
and
part
of
the
reason
for
that
is
that
now
that
the
industry
is
doing
well
when
the
industry
is
doing
well,
you,
you
change
your
approach.
You
have
to
remember
then.
G
Why
we
have
put
forward
a
policy
that
they
are
required
every
year
to
pay.
Three
percent
of
their
liability
amount
is
740
million
dollars,
and
it's
going
to
increase
nine
percent
per
year.
That
is
all
money
coming
out
of
their
own
profits
and
we're
going
to
be
enforcing
that
through
the
regulator,
there'll
be
more
policy
to
come,
because
we
are
very
concerned
about
the
outstanding
amounts
owing
to
landowners
through
unpaid
leases
and
property
taxes
to
municipalities.
G
So
there'll
be
more
policy
around
that
as
well,
and
those
are
the
kind
of
things
that
the
special
projects
advisor
to
me
works
on,
because
he
does
have
a
large
number
of
contacts
in
the
field
of
small
and
medium
business
producers,
and
so
anything
that
relates
to
how
we
might
be
able
to
address
this
issue
as
well
as
the
energy
future
task
force
that
I've
started.
He
is
going
to
be
spending
a
lot
of
time
on
those
types
of
issues,
because
it
is
his
area
of
expertise.
F
G
My
office
with
the
chief
of
staff
and
my
executive
director
and
part
of
the
reason
why
I
have
split
those
two
roles
is
think
of
the
chief
of
staff
as
being
the
person
responsible
for
people,
and
he
has
176
full-time
equivalents
that
he
does
the
HR
function
for
and
the
executive
director
of
my
office
is
responsible
for
policy
and
I'm
a
policy
wonk.
That's
no
secret
to
anybody.
Who's
watched
my
career,
going
back
to
my
very
first
policy
job
in
1995,
and
so
the
the
roles
that
I
had
to
bring
into
my
office.
G
We've
gone
to
34
full-time
equivalents
compared
to
31.5
full-time
equivalents
in
the
previous
administration,
compared
to
30
full-time
equivalents.
In
a
time
that
Ms
notley
was
in
the
office,
those
extra
those
extra
a
full-time
equivalents
are
related
to
the
additional
policy
function
that
I'm
asking
my
senior
advisors
and
special
advisors
to
do,
and
Rob
Anderson,
as
the
executive
director
is
the
one
who
is
managing
all
of
the
the
policy
process
around
this
I'd
be
happy
to
table
the
job
descriptions
for
both
of
those
employees.
G
As
for
the
contracts,
as
Ms
notley,
well
knows
the
public
sector
compensation
transparency
act
requires
the
government
of
Alberta
to
publicly
disclose
the
name
position.
Classification
remuneration
of
employees
whose
base
salary
earning
enter
Severance
exceeds
the
annual
thresholds.
These
the
threshold
in
2022
was
118
316
in
2021
it
was
114
647
political
staff
contracts
in
references
are
posted
in
alignment
with
this
pscta
and
the
GAO
joa
salary
and
Severance
disclosure
site
in
the
political
staff
disclosure
site
on
alberta.ca
in
June
2022,
the
office
of
the
Premier
just
closed
10
political
staff
contracts
in
June
2023.
G
G
I
Well,
thank
you
very
much.
Just
checking
I've
got
10
minutes
or
five
eight
minutes
45
seconds.
Eight
minutes
45
seconds;
okay,
thanks.
Okay,
so
just
on
that
issue,
before
we
move
back
to
the
other
one,
the
policy
used
to
be
that
the
that
these
contracts
were
to
be
posted
either
December
or
June.
These
folks
were
hired
before
December.
I
If
you
are
in
alignment
with
the
policy,
you
should
be
posting
these
contracts
and
or
as
of
December
and
or
telling
us
today
what
their
salaries
are
and
what
their
contracts
are.
This
is
a
particular
interest
Premier,
because
your
office
budget
has
gone
up
by
23
percent
and
and
so
at
a
time
as
I
said
when
albertans
are
struggling
with
significant
cost
of
living
challenges,
it
is
only
reasonable
that
they
get
a
clear
understanding
of
why
your
office
needed
a
23
increase
and
what
the
folks
who
are
working
for
you
are
being
paid.
I
But
I
really
would
like
a
premier
for
you
to
speak
directly
on
the
record
to
this
issue
of
why
it
is
albertans
are
not
being
allowed
to
see
the
contracts
of
your
chief
of
staff
and
your
executive
director
who
I
assume
are
part
of
the
decision
to
raise
the
cost
and
perhaps
part
of
the
reason
for
why
the
cost
of
your
office
has
gone
up
by
23
percent.
Now
on
the
as
well.
Of
course,
I
would
certainly
want
to
see
the
contract,
the
actual
contract
of
Mr
Kinnear.
Now
it's
lovely.
I
You
described
him
as
a
yak
farmer
that
sounds
very
affable
and
Charming.
He
is
also
as
of
2
45,
today,
still
registered
as
a
director
with
Saiyan,
which
is
a
boutique
political,
consulting
firm,
which
describes
itself
as
formed
to
help
connect
busy
oil
and
gas
people
with
campaigning
politicians
same
members
helped
with
15
campaigns
in
the
provincial
election
and
three
campaigns
in
the
federal
election.
Sans
ultimate
goal
was
to
give
a
platform
to
the
small
and
mid-sized
oil
and
gas
producers
that
were
not
being
heard
by
the
government
of
Alberta.
I
We
achieved
this
goal
and
now
we
are
connecting
government
with
great
ideas
from
industry,
so
it's
not
ideas
from
the
yak
Farmers
or
the
landowners
ideas
from
industry.
Meanwhile
Premier,
if
I
could
just
quote
to
you
section
23.2
of
the
conflict
of
interest
Act,
a
member
of
the
premiers
and
Minister
staff
breaches
this
part
of
the
ACT
if
he
or
she
takes
part
in
a
decision
in
the
course
of
carrying
out
his
or
her
office
or
Powers.
I
Knowing
that
the
decision
might
further
a
private
interest
of
the
member,
a
person
directly
associated
with
the
member
or
the
members
minor
or
adult
child
section,
23.3
says
that
that
same
staff
breaches
the
part
if
that
member
uses
their
officer
powers
to
influence
or
seek
to
influence
a
decision
to
be
made
by
or
on
behalf
of
the
crown
to
further
a
private
interest
of
the
member,
a
person
directly
associated
with
the
member,
etc,
etc.
So,
on
the
face
of
it,
Mr
Kinnear
is
clearly
in
breach
of
the
conflict
of
interest
act
Premier.
I
I
100
Bill,
100
million
dollars
is
not
a
very
confined
program
and
having
someone
whose
very
job
it
was
and
apparently
still
is
because
he
continues
to
be
reported
as
a
director
to
advocate
for
this
kind
of
money
for
business
owners
is
deeply
troubling
to
albertans,
who
aren't
just
struggling
to
make
ends
meet
day
in
and
day
out
and
are
wondering
if
they
can
count
on
their
government
to
put
them
first.
So
I
believe
it
is
very
important
that
you
table
his
contract.
G
Madam
chair
I
just
would
like
to
correct.
Maybe
a
misapprehension
that
Ms
Nutley
has
that
about
the
tabling
of
contracts.
Contracts
are
only
required
to
be
tabled
once
per
year
in
June
and,
as
I
indicated,
there
will
be.
There
will
be
contracts
tabled
in
accordance
with
the
ordering
Council
and
the
regulations
beam
when
it
comes
to
Severance
that
is
required
to
be
done
twice
per
year
and
just
by
the
way
the
severance
fell.
G
G
Just
my
understanding
of
the
conflict
of
interest
Act
is
that
the
furthering
private
interest
means
something
very
clear
that
a
person's
private
interest
cannot
be
furthered,
seems
to
be
straightforward
and
that,
in
the
case
of
of
the
my
special
advisor,
it
turns
out
that,
with
all
the
advocacy
that
he
did
and
all
of
the
light
he
shot
on
the
particular
case
that
he
had
on
his
own
property.
With
the
flare
pit,
the
company
came
in
and
voluntarily
cleaned
it
up.
G
So
he
has
no
private
interest
that
had
nothing
to
do
he's,
not
even
going
to
benefit
if
this
program
does
end
up
being
being
adopted.
But
it
does
seem
to
me
that
if
there's
4
300
of
these
sites
out
there
I
suppose
having
somebody
make
a
video
on
every
one
of
the
4
300
sites
to
cause
enough
embarrassment
that
a
company
will
finally
dedicate
the
time
to
cleaning
up
I.
G
Suppose
that
that's
a
process
that
we
could
go
through
or
we
could
just
maybe
consider,
if
there's
a
better
way
to
do
it
and
create
an
incentive
for
when
the
worst
wells
in
Alberta
to
be
cleaned
up,
so
that
they
don't
end
up
having
a
having
an
undue
amount
of
burden
on
the
particular
landowner.
Who's.
The
one
who's
been
dealing
with
the
fact
that
nobody
seems
to
be
all
that
interested
or
all
that
all
that
motivated
to
clean
up
these
worse
sites
and
part
of
the
issue
I
think
around.
G
That
is
that
we
we
have
to
get
our
policy
in
alignment
and
we
have
to
make
sure
that
the
industry
knows
that
we're
serious
and
the
industry
knows
that
we're
serious,
because
we're
now
mandating
that
they
clean
up
three
percent
of
their
sites
every
year,
740
million
dollars,
and
it's
going
to
increase
nine
percent
per
year.
The
thing
I
observed,
though,
with
the
with
the
site
rehabilitation
program.
Thank.
B
J
Continue
with
block
time,
thank
you
go
ahead.
Thank
you,
okay!
Well,
thank
you
Premier,
and
welcome
to
your
very
first
budget
estimates
as
our
Premiere
I
want
to
first
start
out
by
talking
about
your
intergovernmental
relations
budget
as
I
know,
that
is
a
significant
portion
of
your
portfolio
and
department
and
the
work
that
you
do.
Certainly,
there
are
many
priorities
that
our
government
wishes
to
advance
with
other
provinces
across
the
country.
J
Certainly
priorities
under
Health
Care
fiscal
stabilization
was
one
from
the
past
inter-permanential
trade,
with
a
lot
of
conversation
around
even
things
like
economic
corridors.
So
both
you
know
if
we
look
at
your
intergovernmental
relations
budget
I
do
see
that
your
budget
is
for
19
million
this
year
on
page
93.
In
your
second
line
item,
so
I
would
first
like
to
focus
on
the
increase
to
that
budget.
J
I
do
have
one
other
question
before
I
passed
off
to
my
colleagues,
which
furthers
the
work
into
provincially,
and
that
is
with
regards
to
the
free
flow
of
goods,
services
and
labor.
Certainly,
our
Province
led
the
way
when
it
came
to
eliminating
trade
barriers
to
procurement
with
other
provinces,
and
we
try
and
strive
often
to
be
a
leader
I,
think
in
the
free
flow
of
all
things
related
to
the
free
market
and
our
economy.
J
But
I
am
just
wondering
if
you
can
speak
to
what
funding
in
your
budget
will
continue
to
work
towards
those
goals
of
the
free
flow
of
movement
and
goods
across
Canada.
And
if
there
are
any
examples
that
you
are
working
towards
in
furthering
those
endeavors
and
with
that
that
was
really
quick.
I
rattled
that
off,
but
I,
will
see
the
rest
of
my
time,
I
believe
to
remember.
Roswell.
C
On
page
52
of
the
business
plan
documents
outcome,
one
of
executive
council
is
stated
to
be
that
the
government's
agenda
is
to
implement
effectively
in
coordination
with
Ministries.
A
key
area
of
this
government's
agenda
is
to
make
life
better
for
albertans
requires
the
close
coordination
of
several
Ministries
to
ensure
albertans
are
receiving
the
support
they
need.
We
know
that
just
inflation
is
causing
a
strain
in
Alberta's
across
albertans
across
the
board
and
that
life
is
getting
more
expensive.
C
So
I
was
pleased
to
see
that
the
many
different
supports
coming
from
the
government
directly
to
albertans,
like
the
utility
rebate,
direct
payments
to
seniors
families
with
children
that
make
our
families
make
under
180,
000
and
folks
on
Asian
PDD
all
make
a
difference
when
it
comes
to
albertan's,
pocketbooks
and
I.
Just
listed
supports
coming
from
three
different
Ministries.
C
All
targeting
the
issues
of
affordability,
which
I
have
to
imagine
requires
an
immense
amount
of
coordination
between
departments,
seem
to
remember,
Ministry
of
affordability,
utilities
and
and
Tech
and
Innovation
created
a
payment
system
that
they
must
just
took
a
lot
of
work
and
they
got
it
done
in
record
time.
So
so
I
remember
us
talking
about
that
and
how
impressive
that
was.
C
F
F
The
other
great
thing,
though,
about
health
spending
accounts
is
that
when
an
employer
or
the
government
provides
Health
spending
accounts
for
individuals
under
income
tax
policy,
those
benefits
which
which
normally
all
benefits
provided
by
one's
employer,
are
taxable
under
our
income
tax
laws,
but
there's
a
special
exception
for
benefits
under
Health
spending
accounts
they're,
not
taxable
benefits,
and
often
in
our
income
tax
laws.
While
there's
a
tax
credit
available
for
individuals
on
their
personal
health
expenses,
the
use
of
tax
credits
is
less
effective.
The
than
the
non-tax
ability
of
Health
spending.
B
F
Certainly
in
Alberta
our
inheritance
and
our
Legacy
has
always
been
one
of
freedom
and
prosperity,
and
you
know,
while
the
numbers
are
very
serious,
of
course,
that
we
had
what
a
great
human
cost
there
was
for
individuals
and
families
who
you
know,
certainly
in
our
oil
and
gas
Vector,
which
you
know.
Unfortunately,
under
the
prior
government.
They
maligned
and
chased
out
Capital
billions
of
dollars
of
capital,
depressed
investment,
our
economy
and
while
it's
nice
to
kind
of
talk
about
those
numbers
at
a
high
level.
F
F
F
H
E
You
chair
at
the
you've,
passed
the
member
to
get
back
to
the
budget
and
he
has
gotten
back
a
couple
times.
It
might
be
time
for
another
reminder
to
get
closer
to
the
budget.
I
know
he's
building
context,
which
I
think
is
legitimate,
but
steering
them
steering
Our
member
towards
the
budget.
It's
probably
an
appropriate
thing.
Sure.
B
F
New
items
in
the
budget,
but
in
respect
of
the
fiscal
framework
that
we
have
a
budget
consists
of
Revenue
and
expenses.
We
have
huge
revenues
because
we
are
competitive,
attractive
place,
we're
having
this
record
migration
to
Alberta
and,
of
course,
we
have
now
balanced
the
budget.
But
I
want
to
ask
the
premier
to
elaborate
on
the
value
of
having
a
fiscal
framework.
We
saw,
of
course,
with
the
prior
Administration.
They
just
did
a
horrible
job.
They
didn't
live
within
their
means.
F
They
said
horrible
example
for
albertans,
but
now
that
we
have
this
fiscal
framework,
I
want
to
ask
the
premier
how
having
a
fiscal
framework
where
we
live
within
our
means,
where
we
balance
the
budget.
You
know
as
well
as
of
course,
being
the
most
competitive
jurisdiction
which
we
have
historically
been
prior
to
this
whole
horrible
government
that
we
hack,
but
how,
having
this
fiscal
framework
really
sets
and
blesses
albertans
going
forward
and
the
opportunities
that
it
provides.
B
G
Thank
you
I'd
like
to
thank
Emily
Stefan
for
his
comments,
because
there's
many
that
I
will
not
have
to
repeat,
since
you
did
such
a
great
job
of
setting
the
context
on
the
table.
I
appreciate
that
I
should
just
refer
to
the
previous
line
of
questioning.
I've
received
a
note
that
Chris
that
my
special
advisor
resigned
his
directorship
in
s-a-e-n
in
October.
G
He
has
the
paper
of
his
resignation
and
he
has
seen
the
ethics
commissioner
since
so
I'd
be
happy
to
follow
up
see
if
she
had
any
other
guidance,
but
I'm
I
believe
that
that
closes
the
loop
on
the
the
question
raised
by
the
the
pre
by
the
member
of
the
previous
questions.
So
let
me
see
if
I
can
go
through
these
one.
G
That's
part
of
the
reason
why
one
of
the
first
acts
that
I
did,
especially
when
I
had
my
courtesy
call
with
the
Prime
Minister
was
to
indicate
to
him
that
we
would
be
sending
our
own
delegation
to
cop27
and
cop-15,
and
that's
the
kind
of
approach
that
you
will
you
will
see
us
take
on.
The
international
stage
is
that
when
it
is
appropriate
for
us
to
be
sending
our
own
delegation
internationally,
we
are
going
to
I've
just
asked
our
Deputy
minister
to
of
intergovernmental.
G
To
give
me
an
assessment
of
how
we
should
be
restructuring
the
international
offices
they
had
been
formally
under
jobs,
economy
and
Innovation,
and
when
I,
when
I
moved
that
that
department
around
part
of
what
I
wanted
to
do
is
reorient
jobs,
economy
and
Northern
development.
To
be
talking
about
the
things
that
we're
doing
in
the
province
to
attract
investment
to
the
province
and
largely
focused
on
the
the
the
the
the
discussion
across
the
province
which
are
across
the
country,
which
is
why
the
Alberta
is
calling
campaign
falls
into
that
portfolio.
G
When
it
comes
to
the
trade,
invest,
immigration
and
multiculturalism.
A
lot
of
the
work.
That's
being
done
in
that
department
by
the
minister
is
going
to
center
around
how
we
increase
our
number
of
provincial
nominees,
as
well
as
develop
new
streams
to
attract
new
people
from
abroad.
And
so
the
inter.
The
offices
of
the
of
international
is
going
to
require
a
number
of
different
lenses
that
we're
looking
at.
G
For
how
we
want
those
those
offices
to
work
a
portion
of
it
surely
is
trade,
a
portion
of
it
is
labor
attraction
and
a
portion
of
it
is
diplomatic.
The
federal
government
has
a
hundred
different
offices
around
the
world
of
the
the
Quebec
government
has
representation
in
34
of
those
offices,
most
of
them
co-located,
whereas
we
only
have
16,
and
so
we
have
to
do
an
assessment
of
what
our
our
reach
ought
to
be
internationally
and
what
role
we
want.
Our
those
offices
to
play.
G
So
that's
part
of
the
reason
I
wanted
to
bring
that
under
my
purview
is
that
that
work
is
still
ongoing,
but
I
think
that
if
Alberta
is
going
to
project
itself
more
broadly
onto
the
international
stage,
it
is
something
that
I
want
to
have
a
Hands-On
in.
In
directing
that
work.
When
it
comes
to
the
metrics
that
we're
going
to
look
at
as
a
success
of
our
priorities,
we
are
going
to
be
looking
at
a
a
few
things.
G
Three
main
areas:
the
number
of
intergovernmental
meetings
that
the
department
has
supported
the
review
of
intergovernmental
agreements
and
the
satisfaction
of
Ministries
on
the
support
they
are
being
provided
to
advance
Alberta's
interests
within
Canada,
and
it
is
important
for
us
to
include
these
types
of
metrics.
We're
going
to
to
see
that
as
a
strong
priority
for
our
intergovernmental
department
and
I'll.
Just
give
you
some
stats
right
now.
Last
fiscal
year,
intergovernmental
relations
supported
211.
G
intergovernmental
meetings
and
reviewed
a
hundred
percent
of
intergovernmental
agreements
within
the
designated
two-week
time
frame.
So
far
this
year,
igr
has
supported
120
intergovernmental
meetings
and
reviewed
100
of
intergovernmental
agreements
within
the
designated
two-week
time
frame.
We
are
going
to
ensure
the
increased
budget
goes
to
support
the
key
functions
of
igr,
including
intergovernmental
agreement,
reviews
supporting
intergovernmental
meetings
and
advancing
Alberta's
priorities
within
the
Federation.
G
The
let
me
just
continue
on
here
so
just
also
to
give
you
some
examples
of
the
type
of
support
that
we
have
had
when
it
comes
to
intergovernmental
and
the
international
role.
In
particular,
the
department
recently
supported
recent
ministerial
missions
to
Korea
Germany
and
the
United
States
hosted
U.S
ambassador
David
Cohen.
We
had
a
terrific
discussion
about
the
potential
for
reigniting
a
conversation
with
our
American
friends
about
LNG
export
and
hydrogen
development
met
recently
with
Consul
general
of
Japan
of
Japan
takahiko
watabi.
G
The
MLA
Walker
joined
me
in
that
meeting
and
helped
assist
with
the
with
the
various
protocols,
but
I
can
confirm
that
there
from
the
perspective
of
Japan,
they
do
believe
that
there
is
a
case
for
LNG
export,
even
and
certainly
food
security,
as
well
as
another
big
issue.
So
perhaps
another
example
of
why
it
is.
We
need
to
take
a
more
Hands-On
approach
in
the
international
stage
we
represented
Ottawa,
representative
Alberta
and
Ottawa.
G
The
first
ministers
meeting
in
health
and
I've
continuously
called
in
the
federal
government
to
take
action
to
improve
investor
certainty,
address
major
regulatory
barriers.
The
Alberta
Government,
with
the
mou
I've
already
mentioned,
that
is
going
to
bring
more
licensed
practical
nurses
to
the
province.
G
G
They
had
it
tested
many
many
times
because,
of
course
the
they
will
remember
on
the
opposite
side
that,
because
of
the
actions
of
one
of
their
members,
they
did
crash
a
previous
system,
and
we
wanted
to
make
sure
that
that
didn't
happen
again,
and
so
we
did
test
it
to
make
sure
it
wouldn't
crash
and
sure
enough.
When
we
launched
it,
it
was
slow
for
a
period
of
time,
but
it
never
ended
up
crashing.
G
We
have
over
1.1
million,
who
have
now
signed
up
to
receive
those
payments
when
the
portal
was
the
way
we
also
designed
it
so
that
we
could
make
sure
it
was
efficient,
was
to
have
the
payments
made
on
a
monthly
basis
and
there
were
16
000
payments
that
didn't
go
through
only
because
of
error
that,
in
inputting
banking
information,
we
did.
The
the
department
did
a
very
quick
patch,
and
so
now
people
can
edit
their
own
file.
G
And
the
last
piece
that
we're
working
on
is
how
we
might
be
able
to
extend
that
and
integrate
it
with
our
federal
Partners,
so
that
we
can
make
sure
that
we
have
disability
payments.
That's
sort
of
the
next
decision
that
we're
making
but
I
I
can't
say
enough
about
the
work
that
the
department
did
and
the
collaboration
that
we
had
between
various
Ministries,
because,
of
course,
on
top
of
that
we
had
electricity
rebates,
and
we
also
had
the
suspending
the
fuel
tax,
which
has
been
very
important
to
bring
down
the
cost
of
everything.
G
Of
course
that,
as
you
know,
the
liberal
NDP
Coalition
in
Ottawa
is
intending
to
increase
carbon
taxes
by
300
percent,
and
these
are
the
kind
of
measures
that
we
are
taking
in
order
to
make
sure
that
our
our
costs
for
one
of
the
most
important
and
underlying
fuels
remains
reasonable.
It's
the
lowest
in
the
country,
I
see
them
out
of.
B
Time
that
concludes
the
government.
Members
First
block
of
questions.
Now
we
move
to
five
minutes
of
questions
from
the
official
opposition,
followed
by
five
minutes
of
response
from
the
premier.
As
mentioned,
members
are
asked
to
advise
the
chair
at
the
beginning
of
the
rotation
if
they
wish
to
combine
their
time
with
the
premier's
time,
Ms
notley.
Would
you
like
to
combine
your
time
absolutely
Premiere,
yeah
I'll
do
block
time,
please
block
time.
Thank
you.
I
I
I'd
ask
the
premier
why
it
was
her
office
needed
2.9,
Million
dollars
more,
and
there
was
a
lot
of
sort
of
rambling
around,
but
basically
all
I
could
really
get
from
it.
Was
that
she's,
a
big
policy
wonk
I,
have
nothing
but
respect
for
policy
walks.
Let
me
be
clear:
I've
had
many,
many
people
complain
at
Great
Lengths
about
that
element
of
my
personal
way
of
doing
business.
I
However,
I've
never
suggested
that
that
should
cost
anybody,
2.9
Million,
Dollars
and
I'm,
just
wondering
if
she's
thought
to
speak
to
the
public
service
ever
in
terms
of
pursuing
some
of
her
policy,
wonk
Tendencies
so
anyway,
but
more
to
the
point
to
be
a
little
bit
less
rhetorical.
There.
I
really
would
like
to
know
more
about
why
her
budget
has
gone
up
by
2.9
Million
Dollars.
Now
going
back
to
Mr
Kinnear.
Let
me
first,
you
want
to
pull
that
thing
up
again.
I
Just
I
I
appear
I
understand
that
we've
gotten
sort
of
the
hearsay,
Mr
Kinnear,
told
somebody
who
told
the
premier
that
apparently
he
resigned
in
October
of
2012.
I
have
here
Madam,
chair
and
I'm
happy
to
table
it
a
printout
from
the
corporate
search
from
today's
date,
which
very
clearly
identifies
Mr
Kinnear
as
a
director
of
this
group
Saiyan
for
lack
of
a
better
turn,
so
we're
going
to
call
it
Saiyan
s-a-e-n
for
hansard's
purposes,
so
I'm
happy
to
table
this.
I
So
as
far
as
I'm
concerned,
we
still
need
to
receive
some
proof
of
Mr
Kinnear,
having
resigned
and
also
some
written
assurances
from
the
ethics
commissioner,
that
he's
not
in
a
gross
breach
of
of
the
a
conflict
of
interest
act.
Now,
as
I'm
going
to
be
really
quick
on
this,
there
are
other
ways
in
which
the
conflict
of
interest
act
can
be
breached
here.
I
I
Shall
we
say
it?
It
undermines
public
trust
in
the
Integrity
of
decision
making.
That
is
happening
out
of
the
premier's
office
right
now,
and
typically,
those
issues
are
addressed
by
having
the
the
ethics
commissioner
engage
in
a
thorough
review
of
the
many
opportunities
for
conflict
of
interest
through
the
arrangements
that
are
going
on
right
now
that
I
just
described
so
I
think
I've
identified
the
things
we
need
to
hear
from
the
premier,
as
well
as
the
things
we
need.
Thank
you.
G
G
So
if
there's
one
more
piece
of
information
that
he
needs
to
file
to
make
sure
that
he's
removed
from
that,
then
I'll
ask
him
to
do
that
and
double
check
with
the
ethics
commissioner.
So
but
I
think
it's
pretty
I.
Think
I
should
just
mistake
clearly
that
he
he
never.
It
was
a
volunteer
position
that
he
had
there.
He
never
received
any
money
in
that
role.
He
had
another
line
of
income
that
he
that
he
was
that
he
made
money
at
which
I've
also
mentioned.
G
So
I
guess
we'll
have
to
wait
and
see
once
a
program
is
designed
who
is
eligible
to
be
able
to
access
it,
even
if
it
does
get
approved
by
caucus
and
cabinet
I
think
we're
being
a
little
bit
preemptive
as
Ms
notley
would
note
in
the
budget.
There's
no
reference
to
this
is
a
line
item
we've
confirmed
publicly
we're
still
doing
consultation,
particularly
with
municipalities
in
First,
Nations,
and
so
we'll
continue
on
on
that.
G
As
for
political
action
committees,
as
the
the
premier
will
or
the
premier,
the
former
Premier,
the
well
knows,
because
she
also
would
have
had
political
action
committees
that
supported
her
in
in
her
aspirations
and
as
she
well
knows,
there
is
no
ability
to
coordinate
between
third
party
advertisers
and
the
work
that
I
do.
In
fact,
it's
quite
clearly
stated
in
law
that
these
have
to
be
separate,
so
I
suppose
that
if
Alberta
First
ends
up
being
called
before
this
committee,
she
can
direct
her
questions
them
because
I
do
not
know
how
they
operate.
G
Do
not
know
what
they
do
do
not
coordinate
with
them.
My
work
is
being
done
in
through
the
auspices
of
the
party
and,
quite
frankly,
Ms
Natalie
also
knows
that
corporations
and
unions
are
not
allowed
to
donate
to
political
parties.
The
only
people
who
are
allowed
to
donate
to
political
parties
are
those
who
are
donating
on
an
individual
basis,
and
that
is
all
as
well
publicly
reported
any
of
the
donations
over
250
dollars
and
so
I'm.
You
know
happy
to
be
in
full
compliance
with
the
legislation
on
that
as
well.
G
When
it
comes
to
my
office
beam
I've
already
explained,
one
of
the
increases
was
related
to
the
igr
increase
of
1.563
million
coming
over
for
international
relations
and
318
000
for
the
rest
of
igr.
The
remaining
2.9
Million
that
Ms
Nutley
is
interested
in
1.7
billion
is
allocated
in
2023
300
000
was
forecast
in
2022-23
for
a
total
budget
of
2
million
that
supports
the
public
health
emergencies.
Governance
review
panel
that
we
are
doing.
G
We
know
that
there
are
a
number
of
pieces
of
legislation
that
requires
a
review
and
we
have
asked
Preston
Manning
to
leave
that
review
for
us
with
an
interim
report
that
will
be
tabled,
I
believe
in
June
and
a
final
report
in
November
giving
recommendations.
So
that
is
an
Advisory
Group
to
me,
since
it
will
be
cross
Ministry
and
it's
the
way
in
which
I've
structured
my
office,
that,
when
things
go
across
Ministry
I
like
them
to
be
under
my
purview,
the
minister
without
portfolio
feel
is
responsible
for
another
365
000.
G
That
supports
two
new
ministers
without
portfolio
and
includes
the
two
staff
in
previous
practice
with
the
previous
Premier,
and
also
the
premier.
Before
that.
The
there
were
certain
functions
that
were
spread
between
different
departments
in
the
case
that
of
what
I
inherited
there
were
five
positions
that
were
spread
between
five
departments,
maybe
very
difficult
to
have
transparency
in
reporting,
and
so
with
the
minister
without
portfolio
most
appropriately
in
executive
Council.
The
the
their
staff
has
also
reported
there.
565
000
for
thank.
B
D
I'll
actually
stick
with
block
time.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
Go
ahead.
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
It's
a
pleasure
to
join
you
this
afternoon
and
to
join
the
premier
and
the
leader
of
the
opposition.
I
always
enjoy
entertaining
the
estimates
of
executive,
Council
and
I.
Just
wanted
to
I
know
we're
not
in
health
estimates,
but
I
just
wanted
to
reference
a
couple
of
a
couple
of
pages
here,
one
in
the
business
plan
on
page
52
and
key
objective
1.1.
D
It
says
to
provide
advice
and
support
to
Ministries,
to
align
policy
and
legislative
proposals
to
support
government
in
implementing
public
policies,
programs
and
services.
So
it's
a
fairly
broad
objective
and
then
I'm
referencing.
The
strategic
plan
for
Budget
2023
priority
to
objective
four
and
I'm
just
going
to
read
that
ensuring
an
accessible
and
modernized
Health,
Care
System
Alberta's
government
will
continue
to
implement
key
initiatives
to
modernize
and
optimize
Alberta's
Health
Care
system,
so
that
every
albertan
is
able
to
conveniently
access,
safe,
high
quality
and
reliable
Health
Services
when
they
need
them.
D
Further
Alberta's
government
is
supporting
albertans
at
risk
or
of
or
experiencing
addiction
and
mental
health
challenges
on
their
personal
Journeys.
Towards
recovery,
the
recovery
oriented
system
of
care
coordinates,
networks
of
personalized
community-based
Services,
providing
access
to
a
full
Continuum
of
services
and
supports
from
prevention
and
intervention
to
treatment
and
recovery.
So
those
that's
where
I'm
referencing
my
questions
and
I
do
have
several
health
related
questions
for
the
premier
this
afternoon.
So
thank
you
Premier
for
entertaining
my
questions
through
the
chair.
D
D
I
guess
it
was
last
week
with
a
with
a
renowned
cancer
physician
who
talked
a
great
deal
about
Alberta's
capacity
and
the
capacity
actually
right
here
in
the
capital
to
expand
cancer
treatment.
So
that's
something
I'll
take
off
line
with
the
premier,
but
I.
Just
it
just
underscored
to
me
the
incredible
depth
of
talent
we
have
in
our
health
care,
System
here
and
I'm
delighted
to
see
that
and
excited
to
see
us
maximize
the
capacity
that
is
there.
D
D
So
my
question
I'm
wondering
if
you
can
speak
to
the
specific
priorities
of
AHS
and
of
the
government
when
it
comes
to
Health
Care
reform,
could
you
speak
to
to
the
operations
at
AHS
a
bit
more
specifically,
how
did
how
did
how
is
AHS
now
functioning
under
the
leadership
of
an
official
administrator
and
I?
Guess?
I've
heard
this
comment
a
number
of
times
in
my
constituency
office
as
well
wondering
about
how
that
has
helped
to
turn
the
ship.
I
know.
D
Health
is
a
large
ship
to
turn
and
then
secondly,
I
had
the
pleasure
and
I'm
just
checking
my
time
short
I've
had
the
pleasure
of
serving
on
the
APAC
committee
and
assessing
Emergency
Medical
Services
across
the
province
in
an
emergency,
as
we
all
know,
every
minute
counts,
and
over
the
past
three
months,
ambulances
have
been
responding
faster
to
emergency
calls,
which
is
great
to
see
improved
ambulance
times
mean
that
Alberta's
albertans
are
receiving
the
Urgent
Care.
They
need
from
highly
skilled
paramedics
more
quickly
and
that's
I,
think
critical.
D
I
think
we
would
all
agree
I'm
hoping
you
can
share
some
metrics
with
us,
looking
back
to
November
of
2022,
just
after
the
conclusion
of
the
APAC
report,
when
these
challenges
were
first
being
implemented,
EMS
wait
times
were
as
follows:
21.8
minutes
in
Metro
and
urban
areas,
21.5
minutes
in
communities
with
more
than
3
000
residents,
36
minutes
in
rural
communities,
with
fewer
than
3
000
residents
and
63.9
minutes
in
remote
communities.
So
I'm
wondering
to
the
premier
through
the
chair.
D
G
G
365
000
for
the
ministers
without
portfolio
supports
two
new
ministers
without
portfolio
includes
two
staff
brings
those
what
had
been
partial
staff
members
into
full-time
equivalent
into
the
office.
It
was
just
a
moving
of
those
dollars:
premier's
office
of
565,
000,
total
budgets,
the
of
36
full-time
equivalents.
G
So
just
going
into
some
of
the
questions
asked
by
Ms
Allard
and
thanks
MLA
Allard
for
your
questions,
the
I
think
maybe
I
should
start
with
with
talking
about
Dr,
John
Cowell
and
the
incredible
work
that
he
has
done
for
us
in
the
very
short
time
that
he's
been
there.
Part
of
the
reason
he
has
been
so
effective
is
that
he
was
once
the
official
administrator.
He
also
worked
for
Workers
Compensation
Board.
G
He
also
worked
for
Nova,
so
he
brings
a
doctor's
perspective
as
well
as
a
business
perspective
and
in
talking
with
with
him
one
of
the
things
that
he
appreciated
is
the
alignment
that
we
have
between
the
premier's
office
office,
the
minister
of
health
and
himself
and
our
interim
CEO
moroccia's
in
identifying
the
the
three
key
things
that
we
needed
to
work
on.
It
was
a
question:
what
is
the
core
business
of
Alberta
Health
Services,
Core
Business
of
Alberta
Health
Services
is
making
sure
that
when
an
ambulance
is
called,
they
arrive
efficiently.
G
They
pick
up
and
bring
to
hospital.
They
do
not
wait
full
shifts,
or
sometimes
two
full
shifts
before,
dropping
off
a
patient.
When
a
patient
is
received
to
get
triaged
effectively,
they
get
admitted
if
they
need
to
be
admitted
or
they
get
released
effectively
and
wash,
and
that
whole
flow
was
what
we
wanted
to
improve
in
addition
to
reducing
surgical
wait
times
so
that
in
the
end,
no
one
is
waiting
longer
than
the
medically
recommended
period
of
time.
G
So
it's
because
he
had
previous
knowledge,
plus
also
the
executive
business
experience,
plus
also
the
alignment
with
the
myself
and
Minister
copying
that
we've
been
able
to
make
some
of
these
changes
and
I
can
just
give
you
some
of
the
examples
of
what
we've
seen
the
one
I
find.
Most
dramatic
is
the
fact
that
we
have
seen
a
huge
reduction
in
red
alerts.
That's
when
no
ambulances
are
available
beyond
what
is
the
for
Urgent
Care
and
in
in
year
over
year,
January
January
comparison
in
Edmonton
Zone.
It
was
a
reduction
of
over
90
percent.
G
We
went
down
from
over
a
thousand
red
alerts
that
had
been
registered
to
somewhere
around
80..
We
saw
a
similar
decline
in
Calgary.
They
started
at
a
lower
level
about
350
red
alerts
and
we
ended
up
reducing
that
by
57,
just
in
one
or
two
short
months
as
a
result
of
being
able
to
bring
some
of
this
alignment
to
the
system.
G
The
the
Dr
Cowell
is
is
competent
that
by
as
soon
as
the
end
of
March,
we
may
end
up
seeing
as
we've
hired
114
full-time
equivalent
nurses
in
and,
incidentally,
we
have
all
kinds
of
nurses.
Stepping
forward
interested
in
taking
those
positions
on
will
have
effective
onload
and
we're
very
hopeful
that
we'll
reduce
that
hospital.
Wait
time
for
ambulances
down
to
40
less
than
45
minutes
for
every
single
drop
off
and
I.
Think
that
that
we
should
celebrate
that
when
it
comes
to
the
surgical
wait
times,
part
of
our
success
is
again.
G
We
take
a
different
approach
from
from
the
NDP
who,
at
both
the
federal
and
provincial
level,
have
been
arguing
to
shut
down
private
surgical,
centers
and
I
will
confirm
private
surgical
centers
are
publicly
funded
integrated
in
our
system
and
the
when
it
comes
to
putting
to
establishing
the
queue
it
they
have
to
be
integrated
into
our
queue.
There
is
no
cue
jumping
it's
just
a
matter
of
where
does
the
patient
receive
their
service
and
I?
G
John
is
confident
that,
because
we
are
now
to
reducing
that
number
of
people
who
are
on
the
waiting
list
for
longer
than
a
medically
recommended
period
of
time,
we're
now
reducing
that
by
3
000
a
month
we
went
from
39
000
we're
now
down
to
thirty
five
thousand.
So
he
thinks
that
within
12
months,
that
waiting
list
is
going
to
be
gone.
So
that's
the
reason
why
we
had
to
step
in
it's
the
reason
why
we
had
to
be
integrated.
This
reason
we
had
to
use
our
private
sector.
B
I
Go
ahead,
all
right,
I'm
going
to
be
referring
to
strategic
plan,
page
24
priority
two
objective:
7
enhancing
the
justice
system,
also
referring
pursuant
to
the
premier's
business
plan.
Key
objective
1.1
I'd
like
to
ask
her
about
some
interactions
between
her
and
the
office
of
the
crown
prosecution
service.
I
So
I'd
like
to
start
with
question
number
one
in
December,
you
told
a
far-right
website
on
video
I
put
it
to
the
prosecutors
and
I've
asked
them
to
do
a
view
of
the
covid-19
cases
with
those
two
things
in
mind
and
I'm
hopeful
that
we'll
see
a
true
turning
of
the
page,
I
put
it
to
the
prosecutors
question.
One
was
the
premier
telling
the
truth
when
she
said
that
next.
E
H
Page
24
strategic
plan
priority
to
objective
7,
enhancing
the
justice
system,
and
then
she
also
mentioned
page
23,
which
says
the
government
will
protect
Alberton
by
making
the
justice
system
fairer,
faster
and
more
effective.
So
any
question
with
respect
to
justice
system.
Its
independence
is
well
within
this
strategic
plan
and
I
guess,
while
within
the
purview
of
this
interaction.
I
Thank
you.
Second
question
January.
Oh
the
premier
said
on
camera
quote
we
do
have
an
independent
justice
department,
an
independent
Crown
prosecutors
and
I've
asked
them
to
consider
all
charges
under
the
lens
of
is
it
in
the
public
interest
to
pursue
I
asked
them
on
a
regular
basis
as
new
cases
come
out.
Is
it
in
the
public
interest
to
pursue
and
is
there
a
reasonable
likelihood
of
conviction?
I
My
fourth
question
is:
is
the
Premier
aware
of
the
similarities
between
that
Act
of
talking
to
the
attorney
general
about
charges
being
pursued
or
not
pursued
and
the
act
of
the
Prime
Minister
who
went
to
his
attorney
general
around
the
snz
labalin
Scandal
and
in
the?
If
she
is
aware
of
the
similarity
as
she
does,
she
remember
that
at
the
time
she
said,
if
anything
warrants
a
Robert,
Mueller
style,
Robert's,
Mueller
style
committee
investigation,
it's
this
end
quote
so
I
guess.
I
F
This
is
not
within
the
scope
of
these
estimates
and
she's,
making
personal
allegations
and
attack
against
an
individuals
who's
not
here
to
defend
themselves
and,
unfortunately,
I've
seen
a
number
of
nasty
personal
attacks
against
individuals
or
who
are
not
here,
who
are
not
present
to
defend
themselves
and
I
would
ask
that
the
member
refrain
from
making
personal
nasty
attacks
against
individuals
who
aren't
here
to
defend
themselves.
Thank
you.
H
Investigation
was
launched
by
this
UCP
government
was
headed
by
Justice,
adult
Kent
and
a
public
report
said:
Mr
Manu
did
try
to
interfere
in
the
administration
of
justice.
There
was
no
allegation,
just
statement
of
fact
from
a
report
commissioned
by
this
governments.
It's
not
a
point
of
order.
This
question
is
again,
while
within
the
purview
I've
just
estimate,
because
it's
about
a
fair,
independent
justice
system
that
is
mentioned
few
times
in
government
strategic
plan.
I
Thank
you
as
a
result
of
the
report
by
former
Justice
Adele
Kent,
who
concluded
that
Minister
Casey
Matthew
had
attempted
to
interfere
in
the
ministration
of
Justice.
He
was
removed
as
attorney
general.
So
my
question
to
the
premier
is:
why
does
she
hold
herself
and
her
office
to
a
lower
ethical
standard
than
that
which
was
applied
to
her
cabinet
colleague,
Casey
Madu,
and
why,
as
well,
does
she
think
that
it's
appropriate
for
him
to
serve
in
her
office
as
one
of
two
Deputy
premiers.
J
Under
I
believe
I
don't
have
the
citation
in
front
of
me,
but
the
same
that
was
last
time.
23
hij
I
failed
to
see
how
the
ethical
standard
or
perceived
ethical
standard
elect
thereof,
relates
to
a
budget
line
item
I
respect
that
there
may
be
references
in
the
budget
to
the
administration
of
a
justice
system.
However,
that
is
far
different
than
the
supposed
ethical
standards
of
individuals,
which
is
fundamentally
in
body
line
out
of
in
this
budget.
H
The
government's
strategic
plans
about
enhancing
the
justice
system,
making
it
feel
ineffective
yet
in
equals
to
ground
prosecutors.
Any
investigations
of
ministers,
interfering
in
the
administration
of
justice
doesn't
achieve
that
goal.
So
these
questions
are
about
serious
allegations,
serious
matters
of
interference
in
the
justice
system
and
they
are
within
the
purview
of
this
estimate.
B
I
Thank
you,
I'll
just
finish
that
question.
Why
is
it
that
this
Premiere
is
held
to
a
lower
ethical
standard,
then
that
which
was
applied
to
minister
Madu
after
he
engaged
in
what
was
found
to
be
interference
with
the
administration
of
justice?
I'd
like
to
move
on
to
a
different
topic?
Briefly,
as
relating
to
securing
Alberta's
future
in
Canada
and
the
Fair
Deal
panel,
which
of
course
the
premier
is
already
referred
to
and
I'd
like
to
speak
briefly
to
CPP
albertans,
don't
want
to
leave.
I
The
ccpp
polling
is
very
clear
about
that,
but
the
Strategic
plan
continues
to
list
that
as
a
priority,
and
indeed
it
was
part
of
a
mandate
by
the
premier
to
the
minister
of
finance.
A
report
was
commissioned
the
Morneau
Chappelle
report.
It
is,
we
are
told,
sitting
on
the
desk
of
someone
in
cabinet.
It
is
not
a
report
that
has
been
released.
I
We
expect
that
the
port
report
has
not
been
released
because
the
premier
doesn't
want
to
talk
about
CPP
during
an
election,
and
she
is
unwilling
to
have
that
matter
put
to
albertans
as
part
of
a
referendum
during
the
election,
because
she
knows
how
unpopular
it
is.
So
my
question
to
the
premier,
given
the
fact
that
this
is
part
of
the
operation
of
her
office
and
the
report
was
commissioned.
G
Having
heard
the
things
I
was
campaigning
on,
had
proactively
decided
to
put
together
a
PowerPoint
presentation
on
the
issue
of
amnesty
to
talk
about
what
was
possible
and
what
was
not
possible
that
led
to
a
presentation
that
the
Justice
Minister
and
the
the
deputy
Minister
of
Justice
gave
to
me
where
it
was
made
clear
that
amnesty
is
in
the
purview
of
our
governor
general,
not
a
premier.
Our
system
worked
quite
differently
than
the
US,
and
also
that
the
role
of
the
Justice
minister
is
also
to
be
the
head
of
the
crown
prosecution
service.
G
That's
actually
the
formal
role
of
the
of
the
of
the
Minister
of
Justice.
He
is
jointly
an
advisor
to
me
on
legal
matters
as
well
as
the
head
of
the
crown
prosecution
service
and
his
Deputy
Minister
plays
also
the
the
role
of
the
the
deputy
attorney
general
I
I'm.
Not
a
lawyer.
I
know
that
that
Ms
Nutley
is
but
I'm,
not
a
lawyer.
That's
part
of
the
reason
why,
when
I
got
elected,
I
said
I
would
be
seeking
legal
advice
and
the
person
I
seek
legal
advice
from
is
a
person
who's
legally
obligated.
G
To
give
me
advice,
that's
the
Justice
Minister
just
so
happens.
He
also
is
the
head
of
the
crown
prosecution
service.
So
when
I
said
that
all
of
my
requests
and
all
of
my
inquiries
were
done
appropriate
greatly,
all
of
my
inquiries
were
directed
to
the
Minister
of
Justice
and
his
and
his
Deputy
Justice
Minister
I
may
have
used
imprecise
language,
but
as
head
of
the
crown
prosecution
Service
as
well
as
my
legal
advisor,
the
the
I
can
see
why
there
might
be
might
have
been
some
confusion
on
that.
G
G
We
did
a
major
investigation
by
the
independent
public
service
over
the
course
of
a
weekend
where
they
did
a
full
review
of
all
of
the
emails
that
had
been
sent
and
received
out
of
my
office
as
well
as
to
Crown
prosecutors
and
found
nothing
and
so
I.
Would
you
know
I'll
still
put
it
out
there
that
I'd,
like
an
apology
for
the
misinformation
that
is
being
out
that
is,
has
been
put
out
there
consistently
and
for
the
unfortunate
role
that
I
think
Ms
notley
is
is
doing
in
in
casting
aspersions.
H
I
think
twice,
reference
was
made,
is
23
Hing
twice.
The
reference
was
made
to
premier's
own
statement
and
the
leader
of
the
official
opposition
read
exactly
what
Premier
said
to
the
far
right
website
to
the
media,
where
she
admitted
that
she
is
in
touch
with
crowd
prosecutors
on
a
regular
basis.
As
new
cases
come
up,
it
asks
them
whether
it's
in
public
interest
to
prosecute
them,
ask
them
the
likelihood
of
conviction.
These
are
premier's
words
and
that's.
Not
Lee
is
not
casting
any
this.
Whatever
the
words
Premier
use,
we
are
not
making
allegations.
H
E
Well,
it's
unfortunate
the
NDP
stock
can
trade
is
character
assassination,
even
when
it's
unwarranted
and
we've
seen
nothing,
but
that
in
the
last
few
minutes
it's
a
result.
After
a
couple
hours
of
doing
budget
estimates
that
they
have
nothing
to
show
so
they're,
either
going
to
the
lowest
common
denominator,
which
is
what
they
do.
I.
B
Apologize
for
the
interruption,
but
I
must
advise
the
committee
that
the
time
allotted
for
consideration
of
the
ministry's
estimates
has
concluded.
I
would
like
to
remind
committee
members
that
we
are
scheduled
to
meet
this
evening.
March
14
2023
at
seven
o'clock,
P.M
to
consider
the
estimates
of
the
ministry
of
trade,
immigration
and
multiculturalism.
Thank
you.
Everyone.
This
meeting
is
adjourned.