Members of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party are set to debate and vote on 35 policy resolutions later this month, with proposals ranging from restricting flags on government property to making temporary residents pay more for healthcare.
Key Dates and Meeting Details
The UCP's annual general meeting will take place in Edmonton from November 28 to 30, where party members will convene for speeches, elect directors, and establish policy direction for the coming year. The meeting represents a crucial opportunity for the party's grassroots to influence government priorities.
Controversial Flag Proposal
Among the most contentious resolutions is Policy Resolution No. 2, which seeks to limit flag displays on provincial, municipal, and other government-funded properties to only official government flags - specifically those of Canada, Alberta, and official municipality flags.
The proposal, originating from the Calgary-South East and Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin constituencies, argues that displaying flags representing "non-governmental entities or special interest groups creates ideological division amongst Albertans and negatively impacts the social fabric of our province."
While the resolution doesn't specify which groups have drawn concern, the policy would effectively ban the display of Pride flags, Treaty 6 flags, Royal Canadian Legion flags, and other non-government banners that currently appear on public buildings throughout Alberta.
Healthcare and Policing Resolutions
Other significant proposals include requiring temporary residents to pay higher fees for healthcare services and exploring the possibility of purchasing the Alberta operations of the RCMP to establish a provincial police force.
The healthcare proposal would create a tiered pricing system for temporary residents, though specific fee structures remain undefined in the resolution language.
The RCMP proposal represents the latest development in the ongoing discussion about Alberta potentially creating its own provincial police service to replace the federal force in the province.
Historical Context and Impact
While these resolutions aren't guaranteed to become government policy, they often influence legislative priorities. Last year, all 35 resolutions proposed at the UCP AGM passed, with ten either already implemented or in the process of becoming government policy.
Previous successful resolutions have addressed issues ranging from cellphone use in schools to updating rules for the recall process of elected officials, demonstrating the tangible impact these member-driven proposals can have on Alberta government policy.
