Alberta’s Government

What type of government does Alberta have?

Alberta currently has a centre-right wing government under the United Conservative Party (UCP).¹ The province is led by Premier Jason Kenney, the leader of the UCP since its creation in 2017.² He focussed his successful campaign against the leftwing New Democratic Party in 2019 on reviving Alberta’s oil sands industry, cutting taxes and scaling back environmental policies.³ 

How many ministries comprise Alberta’s government?

There are 22 ministries that comprise Alberta’s government.⁴ Each headed by its own minister, they manage specific sectors of public administration.⁵ The ministries cover various areas including Children’s Services, Indigenous Relations and Energy.⁶ 

How to identify a fake government ID

The most common form of government ID is a driver’s license. Alberta driver’s licenses have at least 11 security features to make it easy to spot fake IDs.⁷ Some are visual indications. For instance, each ID has three transparent windows, one in the shape of Alberta and two in the shape of Canada’s maple leaf.⁸ Other security features can be felt, such as raised text on the driver’s licence number, date of birth and signature.⁹ A fake government ID can even be identified by the sound it makes when dropped on a hard surface. Genuine Alberta driver’s licenses make a ‘tin’ sound that is different to a credit card or bank card.¹⁰ 

How much money did the Alberta government give farmers in 2015?

2015 was a difficult year for farmers in Alberta. A severe drought, grasshopper infestations and hail withered crops in many regions and devastated farmers’ livelihoods.¹¹ The hardships led the provincial government to declare a state of agricultural emergency in August 2015.¹² This allowed the province’s Agriculture Financial Services Corporation to access more funds for insurance compensation.¹³ 

The Alberta government helped municipalities to identify additional public lands for grazing livestock.¹⁴ They also halved rental fees for a program that helps farmers replenish water in their dams and dugouts.¹⁵ Nevertheless, agricultural employment fell more than two per cent in 2015.¹⁶ 

How long is the term of office?

Unless Canada is in a time of war, invasion or insurrection, the maximum period between elections is five years.¹⁷ This is enshrined in law by the Constitution Acts of 1867 and 1982.¹⁸ The Canada Elections Act further specifies that general elections must be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year, following the previous general election.¹⁹ Therefore, the term of office in Canada is typically four years long.

1. the Guardian. (2019). Canada: Jason Kenney and United Conservatives win Alberta election. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/17/canada-jason-kenney-and-united-conservatives-win-alberta-election [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
2. Alberta.ca. (2019). Premier of Alberta. [online] Available at: https://www.alberta.ca/premier.aspx.
3. the Guardian. (2019). Canada: Jason Kenney and United Conservatives win Alberta election. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/17/canada-jason-kenney-and-united-conservatives-win-alberta-election [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
4. Alberta.ca. (2019). Ministries. [online] Available at: https://www.alberta.ca/ministries.aspx [Accessed 16 Apr. 2019].
5. Alberta.ca. (2019). Ministries. [online] Available at: https://www.alberta.ca/ministries.aspx [Accessed 16 Apr. 2019].
6. Alberta.ca. (2019). Ministries. [online] Available at: https://www.alberta.ca/ministries.aspx [Accessed 16 Apr. 2019].
7. www.alberta.ca. (n.d.). Driver’s licence security features. [online] Available at: https://www.alberta.ca/drivers-licence-security-features.aspx#toc-2 [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
8. www.alberta.ca. (n.d.). Driver’s licence security features. [online] Available at: https://www.alberta.ca/drivers-licence-security-features.aspx#toc-2 [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
9. www.alberta.ca. (n.d.). Driver’s licence security features. [online] Available at: https://www.alberta.ca/drivers-licence-security-features.aspx#toc-2 [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
10. www.alberta.ca. (n.d.). Driver’s licence security features. [online] Available at: https://www.alberta.ca/drivers-licence-security-features.aspx#toc-2 [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
11. Alberta’s farming losses from extreme weather declared a ‘disaster.’ (n.d.). The Globe and Mail. [online] Available at: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/albertas-farming-losses-from-extreme-weather-declared-a-disaster/article26067865/ [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
12. Alberta’s farming losses from extreme weather declared a ‘disaster.’ (n.d.). The Globe and Mail. [online] Available at: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/albertas-farming-losses-from-extreme-weather-declared-a-disaster/article26067865/ [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
13. CTVNews. (2015). Alberta declares agricultural losses from extreme weather a “disaster.” [online] Available at: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-declares-agricultural-losses-from-extreme-weather-a-disaster-1.2529087 [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
14. CTVNews. (2015). Alberta declares agricultural losses from extreme weather a “disaster.” [online] Available at: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-declares-agricultural-losses-from-extreme-weather-a-disaster-1.2529087 [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
15. Global News. (n.d.). Alberta declares disaster after losses from drought. [online] Available at: https://globalnews.ca/news/2179582/alberta-declares-disaster-after-losses-from-drought/ [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
16. www.jobbank.gc.ca. (n.d.). Agriculture: Western Canada and The Territories Region: 2015-2017 – Job Bank. [online] Available at: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/content_pieces-eng.do?cid=11918 [Accessed 22 Jan. 2021].
17. Elections.ca. (2011). The Electoral System of Canada  – Elections Canada. [online] Available at: https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=ces&document=part1&lang=e.
18. Elections.ca. (2011). The Electoral System of Canada  – Elections Canada. [online] Available at: https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=ces&document=part1&lang=e.
19. Elections.ca. (2011). The Electoral System of Canada  – Elections Canada. [online] Available at: https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=ces&document=part1&lang=e.