The Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, would amend several pieces of legislation, including the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, the Public’s Right to Know Act, the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act and the Alberta Evidence Act. Proposed amendments would increase access to justice and address the current needs of Albertans.
Electoral Boundaries Commission Act
If passed, amendments to the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act would direct the commission to increase the number of electoral divisions in Alberta from 87 to 89 and clarify the list of factors the commission may consider when drawing up the new electoral boundaries.
Under the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, the population of each electoral division in Alberta must not be more than 25 per cent above or more than 25 per cent below the average population of all the proposed electoral divisions. Currently, the populations of nine electoral divisions in Alberta are greater than 25 per cent of the average electoral division population.
Proposed amendments would help address the significant increase in Alberta’s population since the most recent provincial election, and ensure Albertans have effective representation in the legislature.
“The amendments we are proposing are essential to keeping up with Alberta’s significant population growth and ensuring fair, effective representation for all Albertans in the legislature. By increasing the number of electoral divisions, we demonstrate our commitment to balanced and equitable representation for all Albertans.”
Public’s Right to Know Act
The Public's Right to Know Act legislates public reporting of crime data to make it easier for Albertans to know what’s happening in their community. Proposed amendments would allow the minister of justice to require government departments, municipalities and police services to provide up-to-date data, which will foster greater sharing of information and a better understanding of the criminal justice system.
Critical Infrastructure Defence Act
The Critical Infrastructure Defence Act protects essential infrastructure by creating offences for trespassing, interfering with operations or causing damage. Proposed amendments would incorporate the health care facilities currently identified in the regulation into the act, ensuring the definition of essential infrastructure is contained in one place. The definition of essential infrastructure is currently contained in both the act and the Critical Infrastructure Defence Regulation. With this amendment, the Critical Infrastructure Defence Regulation, which initially added “prescribed health care facilities” into the definition of essential infrastructure, will no longer be needed and will be repealed.
Alberta Evidence Act
The Alberta Evidence Act sets out a process for individuals to give evidence to the court either orally or in writing. Proposed amendments would give Albertans simpler and more modern processes for confirming the truth of the information they provide to the courts. These amendments would save Albertans time and money by allowing them to certify information electronically rather than visiting a courthouse or paying to swear or affirm an oath in person. Processes will still be available for those who prefer in-person and paper-based execution of documents.
Quick facts
- Between July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024, Alberta’s population grew by around 204,000 people or 4.4 per cent. This is the highest annual growth rate since 1981 and the highest among all provinces.
- The populations of nine electoral divisions currently exceed 25 per cent of the average population of each electoral division, which is the maximum deviation allowed under the legislation.
- An Electoral Boundaries Commission reviews existing electoral boundaries and makes proposals to the legislative assembly about area, boundaries and names of the electoral divisions.
- A new Electoral Boundaries Commission is appointed eight to ten years after the appointment of the previous commission.
- When drawing up the new electoral boundaries, the commission must consider the requirement for effective representation for all Albertans. In addition, the commission may consider:
- The sparsity and density of population.
- Communities of interest, including municipalities, regional and rural communities, Indian reserves and Metis settlements.
- Geographical features, including the availability and means of communication and transportation between various parts of Alberta.
- The desirability of understandable and clear boundaries.
- The rate of population growth.
- Any other factors the commission considers appropriate.