Ministers will be learning the ropes of their new portfolios, and opposition critics will be looking for issues that will help them gain credibility as government watchdogs.
This is an ideal time to get politicians to listen. If you are advocating on a personal issue, the first point of call should be your local MLA. Your MLA's party colours should not matter—he or she is paid to listen. No matter what you think of your MLA, always go to him or her first, because any other government representative you approach afterwards will ask whether or not you have already done so.
The best way to state your concern to your MLA is through a handwritten letter. If you send a form letter, don't be surprised to receive a form letter in response. A personal letter signals to the MLA that you've taken time to express yourself in your own words. Meeting face to face with an MLA is even more effective. Most MLAs designate certain days of the week as constituency days. You can book an appointment to meet with them on these days, or you might even get a meeting by walking in directly off the street.
If your MLA cannot or will not help you, contact the provincial ombudsman. The ombudsman is charged with dealing with unresolved complaints. The ombudsman's office itself may not be able to address your concern, but staff should be able to direct you to a government agency that can.
Acting collectively can also help to ensure that your voice is heard. Although individual form letters generally have little impact, a letter signed by 5, Albertans and publicly delivered on the same day would create excitement. Giving local reporters advance warning could make it a media event. The Internet has opened up other possibilities. For example, in , an Alberta group lobbying the Canadian government to solve the BSE crisis managed to get more than , people to sign its online petition.
Formal processes are also available to groups wishing to have their voices heard. The legislative assembly has five policy field committees, including a Standing Committee on Education, that are responsible for listening to stakeholders, industry representatives and concerned citizens or groups. These committees review bills referred to them by the legislative assembly and may review regulations and prospective regulations, examine annual reports, conduct public hearings on bills and regulations, and inquire into any matters within their purview.
In addition, special consultative committees—such as Alberta's Commission on Learning—are struck from time to time.
Present your issue; tell your story. Making your voice heard takes time and effort, but the exercise is vital to a healthy democracy. Elections are like final exams in which the government gets either a pass or a fail. But the real work of democracy occurs between elections, when active citizens can affect the government.
If you go to Elections Alberta's website and type in your home address, you will be able to locate your MLA and find out about your constituency. Alternatively, you can call the government's toll-free information line at and ask the operator to connect you to your MLA's office.
If they cannot help you, they should direct you to the government agency that can best help you. MLAs spend a significant amount of time on casework--helping a person or family resolve a particular problem, which can be anything from showing them how to apply for a health benefit to representing an injured employee at a Workers' Compensation Board hearing.
MLAs are also notary publics and, as such, have the authority to sign official documents such as immigration papers. Often, a constituent raises an issue that cannot be solved by an MLA.
The law is published as a Statute also known as an Act. Within the Act is the authority to make Regulations. Regulations are rules to address details and practical applications of the law. Ministerial Orders are made for a variety of purposes, including program delivery, creating committees, appointing committee members, setting rates and fees, designating positions and vesting Ministerial authority in others. Codes and codes of practice are rules that must be followed for those operating under an Act to set safe work or environmental practices.
General decisions of government are made by Orders in Council , they are the instrument by which the Lieutenant Governor in Council makes its orders. These orders may or may not be a Regulation, as defined in the Regulations Act. It ensures effective strategic planning and coordinated policy development across government, and engagement of Albertans. The office is led by the Deputy Minister of Executive Council.
The Cabinet or Executive Council puts government policies into practice. Cabinet ministers are MLAs in charge of specific government ministries. Beyond approving Orders in Council, Cabinet ratifies policy matters and is the final authority on issues related to the day-to-day operation of government. The Premier chairs Cabinet. The Speaker directs debates and proceedings in the Legislative Assembly. The Speaker is an elected MLA. At the beginning of the first Legislative session after an election, all MLAs vote for the Speaker by secret ballot.
The role of the Opposition is to critique government activity, propose improvements to legislation, and present itself to the public as an alternative to the party in office. The party with the most opposition seats in the Assembly and is called the Official Opposition. Each MLA represents a constituency. MLAs selected by the Premier to represent ministries are referred to as cabinet ministers.
Several ministries make up the Alberta government. Each ministry is headed by a deputy minister, a member of the Alberta public service who in turn reports to a minister, an elected official and member of Cabinet.
Public agencies are boards, commissions, tribunals or other organizations established by government, but not part of a government department. They work alongside ministries to deliver programs and services. The Public Agency Secretariat helps ensure Alberta government agencies are well governed. Government committees review policy decisions, long-range strategic priorities, legislation and regulations. Each works for a ministry, or a public agency. They perform the legal, policy, administrative and practical duties needed to deliver programs and services to Albertans.
Elections Alberta is an independent, non-partisan office of the Legislative Assembly responsible for administering provincial elections, by-elections and referenda. Your submissions are monitored by our web team and are used to help improve the experience on Alberta. If you require a response, please go to our Contact page. You will not receive a reply. Submissions that include telephone numbers, addresses, or emails will be removed.
Table of contents. Organization In the Province of Alberta, the British monarch is the official head of state with the Crown represented by the Alberta Lieutenant-Governor who is appointed by the federal government.
Legislative assembly All provincial governments in Canada are unicameral, meaning that there is only one body of elected representatives. The 2nd reading stage is where members debate the principle and purpose of a Bill.
Published laws The law is published as a Statute also known as an Act. Ministries Several ministries make up the Alberta government. Public agencies Public agencies are boards, commissions, tribunals or other organizations established by government, but not part of a government department.
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