Alberta government introduces legislation for support during pandemic
Posted April 7, 2020 12:15 pm.
Last Updated April 7, 2020 12:16 pm.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – The Government of Alberta will debate important legislation to help Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government House Leader Jason Nixon is outlining several pieces of legislation dealing with municipal emergency preparedness and increased support to survivors of human trafficking.
“While government, the public and our enforcement agencies are rightly focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, we must continue our work to enhance protections for vulnerable Albertans such as survivors of human trafficking,” said Nixon.
Under Bill 8, the province will extend the definition of sexual exploitation to people of all ages and make it easier for survivors to get protection orders and enable police to take quicker action to rescue survivors.
RELATED: Government to take legislative action against COVID-19
“Human trafficking is a vile and insidious crime and a significant number of its survivors are under the age of 18,” said Minister of Children’s Services Rebecca Schulz. “These children and youth have a right to physical and emotional safety, security and well-being.”
The government will also look to amend the Emergency Management Act to allow for states of local emergency to last for 90 days and clarifying that a provincially declared state of emergency can be for a pandemic in general, not just for influenza.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, so does the need to strengthen our response efforts,” said Municipal Affairs Minister Kaycee Madu. “This includes listening to our municipal partners and making amendments to the Emergency Management Act that work for both local and provincial governments.”
Nixon also provided details on measures to protect mobile home tenants. He says the government will work to give them the same rights as other renters when it comes to dispute resolution.
