Alberta NDP criticizes UCP for ending debate early, blocking bids for affordability and healthcare

The Alberta NDP says the UCP ended the fall session of the legislature early Thursday, blocking bids for affordability and healthcare.

The NDP claims the United Conservatives cut the debate on Sovereignty Act, and blocked bids to freeze auto insurance rates and address healthcare crisis.

“The Sovereignty Act that Danielle Smith presented to Albertans was an outrageous attack on democracy,” said NDP House Leader Christina Gray. “Not only did Smith try to give herself the power to govern by decree, she spent several days lying to Albertans about what was in her eight-page bill.

“Make no mistake: the job-killing Sovereignty Act, passed into law yesterday, is profoundly destabilizing to Alberta’s economy.”

Meanwhile, the New Democrats claim the UCP didn’t take affordability measures into consideration when they refused to pass the bill introduced by Calgary-Bhullar-McCall NDP MLA Irfan Sabir to freeze auto insurance rates.

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Car insurance rates in Alberta are the highest in the country, according to reports.

“We could have given every single Alberta driver some holiday cheer, but the UCP chose their insurance industry buddies over Albertans,” Gray said.

On the subject of health care, the NDP says Smith’s government turned down its attempts to suggest improvements to the system to relieve some pressure.

“NDP Leader Rachel Notley brought forward Bill 201: Public Health Care Delivery Standards Act, a critical first step in repairing Alberta’s healthcare system. The bill was endorsed by the former head of the Health Quality Council of Alberta, by the president-elect of the Alberta Medical Association, and by Friends of Medicare,” the NDP said in a statement. “The UCP voted it down, and also voted down every attempt to debate the crisis in children’s healthcare.”

Meanwhile, Smith’s office tells CityNews the UCP’s focus in this fall session was centred on helping people with inflation and protecting their landowners’ and provincial rights.

“We saw seven pieces of legislation attain Royal Assent, three on major government commitments. This legislative session signaled a new course for Albertans,” the statement read. “We passed affordability legislation that supports Alberta’s Affordability Action Plan with the authority to make changes to the electricity regulated rate option and extend utility rebates to provide better benefit to Albertans, implemented electricity price protection, and suspend the Alberta fuel tax.”

“We deindexed personal income tax and delivered targeted relief payments to families, seniors and vulnerable Albertans.

“Also, under legislation passed in the fall session, police will have a new commission to strengthen accountability, more claims can now be made to provincial courts in 72 jurisdictions across Alberta and, squatters can no longer make a claim against private property. Additionally, amendments to Alberta’s sovereignty legislation passed in this session protect our democracy as well as provincial rights and the Canadian union.

“Families, seniors and others will benefit directly and quickly from the affordability measures. The other legislation gives us a strong foundation to address future priorities and strengthens Alberta’s position within confederation. We promised a new course for Alberta and quick help to those who need it most. Albertans can look to this government to address the concerns most important to them.”