The Alberta government is planning on updating the Emergency Management Act.
Alberta's robust emergency management system helps to safeguard lives and property in the event of wildfires, floods, and other disasters.
During emergencies, the elected officials and emergency management teams are making difficult decisions to keep Albertans safe.
The Alberta government received feedback from the Public Health Emergencies Governance Review Panel about the Emergency Management Act and is now introducing Bill 49, which includes updates to the Emergency Management Act.
According to the provincial government, those changes will emphasize the importance of balancing Albertans' individual rights and freedoms when they are exercising emergency powers.
"That's why we're taking these steps to ensure emergency management and regulations reflect the realities of modern disaster response, as well as the importance of protecting Albertan's individual freedoms," explained the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, Mike Ellis, at a media conference.
As part of those steps, they are adding a pre-amble to reinforce that the government must respect and uphold the rights and freedoms of Albertans during times of crisis.
"This will ensure that officials are respectful of individual rights when interpreting and applying the act and that emergency measures remain balanced, necessary, and, of course, transparent," Ellis said
If passed, the changes Bill-49 will introduce an updated definition of "emergency", which will make it clear that emergencies are unpredicted and temporary, and the use of emergency powers from the government should only be used as long as necessary to restore public safety, and as a last resort.
Bill 49 will also introduce new requirements for the minister who is responsible for emergencies.
Those requirements will require the minister to consult with the Premier, cabinet, or other elected officials before authorizing emergency orders.
Through the Bill, they will enhance the public communication requirements, which will help keep Albertans informed about emergencies in the province.
Other regulatory changes included in this Bill focus on enhancing community resilience, by improving preparedness, coordination, and information sharing while emergencies are occurring.
On top of that, local authorities will be required to develop evacuation plans, which will include mitigation strategies that will support the long-term reduction of disaster costs and impacts.
To learn more about the proposed changes, click here.
