Spring legislative session wraps up in Alberta

“Now that the sitting has come to an end, I am even more confident that Alberta is headed in the right direction, maintaining its position as an economic leader and continuing to create opportunity, growth and prosperity for Albertans.”

But the Opposition NDP says the UCP is out of touch with reality.

“The UCP government spent the last four months focused on things that don’t ease Albertans’ pain or their worries,” said Naheed Nenshi, party leader.

“It’s bad enough that this government failed to make life better—but in many cases, they made it worse and put Albertans at risk.”

Nenshi also laments the UCP’s complete refusal to any and every proposal the NDP put forward.

Those proposals included, but were not limited to: Bill 209, or the Consumer Protection Amendment Act; a call for relief at the gas pump; and Bill 204, or the Whistleblower Protection Act.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Alberta Public Libraries issued a statement Thursday about Bill 28, which was also passed before the session concluded.

Bill 28 makes changes to the Libraries Act related to materials accessible to certain age groups.

“Despite our repeated and proactive outreach to the government, Alberta libraries were not consulted prior to introducing this legislation,” said Pilar Martinez, CEO, Edmonton Public Library, speaking on behalf of CAP Libraries.

“Now that Bill 28 has passed third reading, CAP Libraries is urging the Government to meet with libraries to develop regulations that minimize disruption to public libraries, patrons and communities.

Martinez says libraries have policies in place to organize collections in age-appropriate ways, and rely on parents and guardians to guide children’s use of library spaces and materials.

“Libraries are already struggling to maintain operations without other additional burdens being placed on them related to new legislative compliance,” said Ron Sheppard, director, Parkland Regional Library System.

“Without additional funding to implement Bill 28, libraries may be forced to reduce, or potentially eliminate, library services.”

The UCP also noted Thursday the recent passing of the Alberta Whisky Act; plus the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, which gets Alberta out of having to change the clocks twice a year.

And the UCP said Thursday that a new adjusted rate cap will take effect Jan. 1, 2027, alongside the province’s new Care-First auto insurance system.

Under the adjusted rate cap, insurers will not be able to raise average rates by more than five per cent and all average drivers will see their auto insurance premiums capped at 10 per cent at renewal, according to a release. The updated approach replaces the previous Good Driver Rate Cap and extends savings to more Albertans.

“Our priority is ensuring the care-first system provides notable savings,” says Nate Horner, president, Treasury Board and Ministry of Finance.

“We will continue to closely monitor the system’s implementation to ensure good Albertan drivers benefit from lower insurance costs.”

Under Care-First, drivers with basic insurance coverage are expected to save an average of $366 per vehicle, the UCP are estimating.

Care-First quick facts

By definition, Care-First auto insurance is not a “no-fault” model.
- Albertans will continue to be able to sue an at-fault driver convicted of Criminal Code driving-related offences, and certain offences under the Traffic Safety Act, including impaired driving.
- Injured Albertans will be able to sue an at-fault driver if they experience out-of-pocket expenses that exceed the maximum amounts provided by their insurance policy.
- Drivers with an at-fault accident or conviction under the Traffic Safety Act or the Criminal Code would still see their rates go up.
Premiums under Care-First will be determined by individual risk factors rather than market pressures.
- This means good drivers will pay less and bad drivers will pay more.
The adjusted rate cap introduces two limits beginning January 1, 2027:
- Five per cent cap on insurers, so insurers cannot increase rates by more than 5 per cent per year across their overall book of business (their total customer base).
- Ten per cent cap on individuals, where each premium cannot increase by more than 10 per cent at renewal.
The two caps work together.
- The five per cent cap controls overall increases on the system, while the 10 per cent cap protects individual drivers from large spikes.
The adjusted rate cap will also protect Alberta drivers from drastic premium increases after they receive the expected savings in 2027.
Under the previous Good Driver Rate Cap, even minor infractions excluded Albertans from qualifying for the 7.5 per cent cap protection.
- Drivers could lose rate protection under the current Good Driver Rate Cap if they switch their insurance company, move to a different community or replace a vehicle.

The full news conference from the Government of Alberta can be viewed below:

by Josh Hall

Spring legislative session wraps up in Alberta

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