Amendments will be coming to further strengthen the justice system.
As part of the omnibus Bill 9 – the proposed Red Tape Reduction Statues Amendment Act, 2023 – prolific violent offenders will not be able to access income support. Alberta’s court judges will also see their title elevated to justice in the Provincial Court of Alberta.
“The amendments introduced take action to strengthen Alberta’s justice system,” said Minister of Justice and Attorney General Tyler Shandro. “These changes are part of a series of efforts that we have made over the course of our term in office to strengthen and reform the justice system.”
The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service estimates that there are about 4,200 violent offenders in Alberta, as of Feb. 8, 2023, with outstanding warrants for arrest. Under current legislation, those on the run may still be entitled to receive income support.
If Bill 9 passes, the Income and Employment Supports Act would be amended to close the loophole. This would suspend income support intended for basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Once the arrest warrant is executed or cancelled, income support benefits would resume.
It would not suspend financial support for health benefits, or other provincial benefit programs such as AISH, Alberta Seniors Benefit, and Transition to Adulthood and Foundational Learning Assistance.
Regulations would outline what offences would trigger benefit suspension.
B.C. and Manitoba already have legislation in place that allows them to suspend provincial benefits. Saskatchewan has introduced legislation to this end as well.
Elevating Alberta’s court
Changing the title of judge to justice in the Provincial Court of Alberta would make the judicial title consistent with justices of Alberta’s Court of King’s Bench and the Court of Appeal of Alberta.
It is part of a series of reforms initiated by Alberta’s government to strengthen and elevate the Provincial Court of Alberta, which will be renamed Alberta Court of Justice effective April 1.
The provincial court handles more than 100,000 criminal cases, 17,000 family and child protection cases, and about 10,000 civil cases each year. With locations in 72 communities, the provincial court is the most accessible and affordable court system in Alberta.
Trespassing laws will also be strengthened. Learn more about changes to trespassing legislation on the Red Deer-North site here.
See the full news release on the Government of Alberta website here.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions or comments can reach out to the local constituency office via the form on the contact page. They can also reach the office by phoning (403) 342–2263.