Alberta has a voice
By Chantelle de Jonge Chestermere-Strathmore MLA
As Christmas approaches and 2025 winds down, Alberta’s government has wrapped up a productive fall legislative session full of wins for Alberta families, jobs, and our future.
We passed the International Agreements Act to make sure Ottawa can’t sign international deals that affect Alberta without our say. If it touches provincial matters, it must be debated and approved here first. Alberta, not Ottawa, will decide what applies to our families, industries, and communities.
Albertans value their right to free speech and free expression. Recent high-profile cases across Canada, such as the disciplinary proceedings against Dr. Jordan Peterson by the College of Psychologists of Ontario – raised concerns about regulators punishing personal opinions instead of focusing on professional competence. That’s why we passed the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act, to stop disciplinary action for off-duty conduct, restrict mandatory diversity and inclusion training, and protect against bias based on political beliefs. Because every Albertan deserves the right to speak freely without ideological intimidation.
We also took major steps to improve health care by introducing a Dual Practice Model. Dual practice gives doctors the flexibility to work in both public hospitals and private clinics, increasing the number of surgeries completed and reducing wait times for all Albertans. It’s a proven model widely used in top-performing health systems, including Denmark, the United Kingdom, and France, as well as Quebec and New Brunswick. By introducing dual practice, Alberta will attract and retain more physicians, strengthening the health system and giving Albertans better access to high-quality health care close to home.
Our government knows the vast majority of Alberta gun owners are responsible, trained, and licensed. They’re hunters and sport shooters, or farmers and ranchers protecting their livestock from predators, and they don’t deserve to be treated like criminals. Since the federal government first introduced its firearms confiscation scheme, we have been clear that we oppose any policy that undermines law-abiding firearms owners. That’s why we introduced a motion telling all provincial agencies, including police and the RCMP, not to enforce Ottawa’s gun seizure program. It also reaffirms Albertans’ right to defend themselves and their homes. Law enforcement should focus on real crime, like violent criminals, not law-abiding Albertans.
To support the next generation of Albertans, our government introduced changes to the Education Act requiring school boards to conduct reading and math screening for all students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 and to share screening results with parents to ensure families are informed and involved. Alberta’s classrooms are becoming increasingly complex, with rising numbers of students facing diverse learning needs, behavioural challenges, and language barriers. Early identification of complex learning needs is key to ensuring students receive the support they need.
As a government, we have a duty to protect all children and youth, and a responsibility to give parents, not institutions or courts, the primary role in life-changing decisions about their children. By passing the Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act, we are preserving the future choices of young Albertans, ensuring fairness and safety in amateur competitive sports, and requiring schools to obtain parental consent when a student under 16 wishes to change their name or pronouns.
Beyond the legislature, Premier Danielle Smith secured a landmark energy agreement with the federal government that will more than double oil exports to Asian markets, reduce emissions, and scrap damaging federal legislation. The new energy pact includes a commitment by the federal government to scrap the emissions cap, suspend the Clean Electricity Regulations, and declare an Indigenous co-owned Alberta bitumen pipeline to Asian markets a project of national interest. This is a critical step in ensuring our province remains a global energy powerhouse.
With a new year on the horizon, Alberta is entering 2026 with real momentum. This fall’s legislative accomplishments chart a pathway for continued growth, greater provincial autonomy, and a better future for families. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
As always, please feel free to reach out to my office with your feedback and questions (Chestermere.Strathmore@assembly.ab.ca).
(Chantelle de Jonge is the MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore and the Parliamentary Secretary for Affordability and Utilities)