Today's Speech from the Throne outlines key initiatives planned by the Alberta Government, and it comes at a time of a rebounding economy and influx of new residents.

Read by Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani, the speech pays particular attention to building health care capacity, the continuation of the province's recovery plan, further reductions in government red tape, dissolving the power balancing pool, and establishing a natural gas consumer protection program.

The government believes better days are here, and the province has witnessed an increase in all revenue streams, not just from the energy sector.

"We begin this session with Alberta leading the country in economic growth," states the speech. "For the first time in years, more Canadians are now moving to Alberta than leaving. Our taxes are low, our economy is strong, and our quality of life is second-to-none."

Highlights include:

  • Creating jobs by moving forward with Alberta’s Recovery Plan.
  • Addressing cost-of-living pressures through a gas rebate program.
  • Building health-care capacity so hospitals are better prepared for potential future waves of COVID-19 with particular attention to increasing the number of ICU units.
  • Accelerating the Alberta Surgical Initiative to reduce surgical wait times caused by COVID-19.
  • Strengthening protection for Alberta students by ending the conflict of interest that allows the Alberta Teachers’ Association to investigate its own members.
  • Expanding school choice by creating more charter schools and improving support for existing charters.
  • Increasing prenatal financial aid to mothers receiving AISH and Income Support.
  • Implementing recommendations to improve palliative care.
  • New legislation to modernize the electricity market.
  • Legislation to better protect the public from individuals on bail, probation, and parole.
  • Legislation to reform and modernize the financial services sector by allowing reinsurance.
  • Red tape reduction legislation to advance the goal of eliminating one-third of the provincial government’s regulatory burden.
  • Other legislation this session will take action on recommendations from the Police Act Review and the Human Trafficking Task Force.
  • Recognizing Alberta’s unique heritage, in part by naming the Terrace Building after Chief Poundmaker and erecting a memorial to the victims of residential schools on the legislature grounds.

The 2022-23 budget will be tabled on Feb. 24.