At a Glance - Week of May 22, 2025

Alberta’s New Representative to Washington

MLA and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Nathan Cooper, resigned on May 7th. Cooper was subsequently appointed as the province’s Senior Representative to the United States. He replaces James Rajotte in the role, who has returned from Washington as an advisor to the Premier.

“I’m honoured to be entrusted by Premier Danielle Smith with this critical assignment at such a pivotal time. Now more than ever, I see this as a vital opportunity to strengthen and advance Alberta’s long-standing relationship with the United States, ensuring stability and collaboration amid global uncertainty,” commented Cooper.

A by-election will need to be called in the now-vacant riding of Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. Tara Sawyer has been nominated as the UCP’s new candidate for the riding.

Alberta Gets a New Speaker

Following the vacancy created by Nathan Cooper’s resignation from the office of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, a new speaker was elected by MLAs. Ric McIver, the now-former Minister of Municipal Affairs, resigned from his role to take on the mantle of Speaker.

“After decades of public service, Speaker McIver has a proven track record of representing his constituents with dignity and honour as the MLA for Calgary-Hays, in his various ministerial roles, and previously as a city of Calgary councillor. He is respected on both sides of the aisle, and I know he will approach his new role as Speaker with the utmost seriousness,” stated Premier Danielle Smith.

 Joseph Schow, the now former Minister of Tourism and Sport and Government House Leader, was selected to serve as interim Minister of Municipal Affairs until last Friday’s cabinet shuffle.

Amendments to Electoral Reform Legislation

Before being passed, the Election Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, received additional amendments following criticism regarding citizen-initiated referendum rules.

“In response to feedback from First Nations and Indigenous partners and to reassert our commitment to protecting Treaty rights, the bill now includes a clause stating that nothing in a referendum under the Act is to deviate from existing Treaty rights. Alberta’s government will always recognize, protect, and honour Treaty rights as recognized by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982,” stated Minister of Justice Mickey Amery.

Additionally, mail-in ballots will not be allowed in constitutional referendums, and the window for electoral integrity complaints has been allocated a longer investigative window.

Alberta Announces Strategy to End Gender Based Violence

Produced by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women, the Government of Alberta has released a new 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence. The plan incorporates five major priorities, including new prevention strategies, increasing awareness, protecting survivors, supporting Indigenous-led solutions, and promoting economic independence for women.

“Our government is proud to release Building on our Strengths: Alberta’s 10-year Strategy to End Gender-Based Violence, the most comprehensive strategy of its kind in Canada. Through this strategy, our government will lay the groundwork for lasting change while addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and supporting survivors,” announced Minister Tanya Fir.