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The circus that is Bill 10 and the seriously interesting internal rift within the UCP
Recall: Bill 10 (passed this spring) changed the Public Health Act. Allowed a minister to create new law, bypassing the elected legislature #AbLeg https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-government-to-repeal-bill-10-which-allows-ministers-to-make-legislative-changes-without-approval-in-spring
Recall: Bill 10 (passed this spring) changed the Public Health Act. Allowed a minister to create new law, bypassing the elected legislature #AbLeg https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-government-to-repeal-bill-10-which-allows-ministers-to-make-legislative-changes-without-approval-in-spring
Th legal community (see below for example), the NDP, and citizens who all noted that Bill 10 was unconstitutional, but UCP MLAs voted to jam it through the legislature in 48 hours during the pandemic. https://ualawccsprod.srv.ualberta.ca/2020/07/7146/
Then Premier Kenney realized the backlash, and noted Bill 10 when (way) too far. He created the Public Health Act Review Committee to fix his changes to the Act https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/ucp-going-back-to-the-drawing-board-on-controversial-bill-10
The Committee meets, and hears expert testimony on Bill 10... everyone notes that it went way too far. By this point, the Kenney government is being used in court for violating the constitution... https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/critics-say-ucp-government-subverting-review-of-act-that-gave-ministers-sweeping-powers-1.5627930
Rank and file UCP members are angry (along with the public). Some members go so far as to demand the "unconstitutional" Bill 10 at the upcoming UCP Annual General Meeting
Back to the Public Health Act Review Committee: On Sept 29 NDP MLA @DShepYEG puts forward a motion that would recommend repealing Bill 10. UCP MLAs call it "grandstanding" and vote not. Below is the recorded vote... all UCP MLAs vote to keep Bill 10
Then Minister Shandro get involved. Two weeks later, he meets with those same UCP MLAs... admits Bill 10 was a mistake... and now says government will repeal it in roughly six months. Leaves those UCP backbench MLAs looking silly https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=74470BDE69AC9-99F3-344B-4CCD2C4D3C2FE18E
What lessons can we learn: First, don't pass legislation that is clearly unconstitutional by any definition. Second, once in a while listen to what the opposition is saying. Third, UCP backbench MLAs need something better to do than read talking points.
