Advocate for Persons with Disabilities Act – Royal Assent June 7, 2017 -http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_29/session_3/20170302_bill-205.pdfCreates an advocate role whose position includes reviewing programs and policies, participating in decision-making processes.
Alberta Consumer Protection Legislation – Bill 31: A Better Deal for Consumers and Businesses Act -https://www.alberta.ca/consumer-protection-changes.aspxThis bill amends the Fair trading Act to be renamed to the Consumer Protection Act. The intent is to enhance fairness between consumers and businesses. The new consumer protection laws will come into effect upon proclamation.
Change in protections will include ticket sales, high-cost credit, veterinary services as well as car sales and repairs.
Alberta Insurance Council – Decisions of the General, Life and Adjusters’ Insurance Councils -http://www.abcouncil.ab.ca/council-decisionsDisciplinary actions from the Alberta Insurance Council as well as the Canadian Insurance Regulators
Alberta Human Rights Act – Alberta – January 2, 2018 – Bill 23 -http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_29/session_3/20170302_bill-023.pdfAddresses age regarding discrimination including minimum age for occupancy
An Act to amend the Holidays Act (Remembrance Day) –Bill C-311 - November 29, 2017 – in legislative process -http://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=8443206&Language=E&Mode=1This amendment amends the Holidays Act to make Remembrance Day a legal holiday (Federal)
An Act to Amend the Customs Act September 28, 2017 – Bill C-21 -http://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?Language=E&billId=8355229This bill amends the Customs Act to authorize the Canada Border Service Agency to collect personal information on all persons who are leaving or have left Canada. Provides officers with the power to examine any goods that are exported.
Canadian Free Trade Agreement – July 1, 2017 - https://www.cfta-alec.caReplaces Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT). Establishes a framework for internal trade and provides a set of trade rules and resolution processes relating to labour mobility, procurement.
Cannabis – https://www.alberta.ca/cannabis-framework.aspx#p6241s4Bill 26: An Act to Control and Regulate Cannabis – Bill 29: An Act to Reduce Cannabis and Alcohol Impaired Driving -
https://www.alberta.ca/cannabis-framework.aspx
Cannabis will become legal in Alberta by the summer of 2018. This legislation addresses minimum age for permitted use, cannabis sales including purchasing, growing and possessing cannabis, impairment while at work and while driving as well as advertising and packaging. Cannabis impairment will be added to the Traffic and Safety Act as well.
- April 9, 2018 – zero tolerance for cannabis or illegal drugs in the blood stream of GDL drivers, immediate 90-day license suspension for impaired drivers followed by participation in a one-year ignition interlock program
Conflicts of Interest Amendment - December 15, 2017 – Bill 27 - on proclamation -http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_29/session_3/20170302_bill-027.pdfNew rules for provincial agencies, boards and commissions. Amendments effective for Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Lobbyist Act and Public Service Act
Employment Standards Code Changes - https://www.alberta.ca/employment-standards-changes.aspx/http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/orders/Orders_in_Council/2017/1217/2017_441.html- The Fair and Family friendly Workplace Act – June 2017
- Employment Standards Code and Regulations – effective January 1, 2018
Amendments to the employment Standards Code will have significant impact on employer’s policies, HR practices and
payroll administration. Changes include compassionate care leave, maternity/parental leave, rest periods, compressed
work weeks, deductions, minimum wage, overtime, general holiday and general holiday pay, vacation and vacation pay,
termination and temporary layoffs, youth employment, leaves, enforcement and administration. On October 1, 2018,
the general minimum wage in Alberta will increase to $15 per hour from $13.60 per hour.
Fair and Family-Friendly Workplaces Act – Bill 17 - Royal Asses – in force in part -http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_29/session_3/20170302_bill-017.pdfAmend the Employment Standards Code, the labour Relations Code, the Enhanced Protection of Farm and Ranch Workers Act related to employment leaves, standards, overtime, vacation pay, termination notice, union certification and decertification processes.
Enhanced Consumer Protection – MOU signed between Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada(“IIROC”) and the Alberta Insurance Council - http://www.iiroc.ca/Documents/2017/245ff0fa-cc6f-4444-803d-2b310bb8c2be_en.pdfEuropean Privacy – EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – May 25, 2018 - https://www.eugdpr.orgRegulation was designed to harmonize data privacy laws and comes with heavy fines for non-compliance.
Minor Injury Regulation – Annual Increase in Amount for Non-Pecuniary Damages -http://finance.alberta.ca/business/insurance/index.htmlEffective January 1, 2018, the maximum amount that can be claimed for pain and suffering under regulation will be $5,080.
Occupational Health and Safety Alberta https://www.alberta.ca/ohs-changes.aspxThis includes new obligations to protect workers from workplace harassment and violence, when a prime contractor will be required, requiring the establishment of joint work site health and safety committees, designation of a health and safety representative, changing reporting and investigation requirements for workplace incidents, change of workers
right to refuse work.
Protecting Victims of non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Act – January 2, 2018 – Bill 202 -http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_29/session_3/20170302_bill-202.pdfConsent of intimate images being distributed.
WCB Alberta - https://www.wcb.ab.ca/about-wcb/2018-timeline.htmlWCB to establish a Code of Rights and Conduct, establishment of Fair Practices Office, Extension of appeal time, removing cap on maximum insurable earning, rights of workers to select a physician to conduct medical examination, return to work process.