Government introduces new provincial security legislation
The events of September
11, 2001 changed the way Albertans look at our world and our province.
After that day, it became necessary to be prepared for events that once
seemed impossible.
While Alberta Justice and Alberta Solicitor General share the common goal of promoting safe communities, several other departments are also responsible for provincial laws that help keep our province safe.
Following the terrorist acts in the United States, Premier Klein established a Ministerial Task Force on Security to review and update our provincial security measures. The task force also did a thorough review of provincial legislation from a security perspective.
Albertans can have confidence that we have strong and effective legislation in place keeping our province safe and secure.
Bill 31, the Security Management Statutes Amendment Act, is a result of the findings of the task force's review. The bill, which was debated during the fall 2002 session of the legislature, proposed amendments to 17 provincial laws to further protect the safety of Albertans, and our province, while respecting people's freedoms.
The proposed amendments address issues such as making it more difficult to obtain false identification, establishing mechanisms to prevent fundraising for terrorist activities, and enhancing the province's ability to control access to public lands and highways during times of heightened security, crisis or emergency.
This bill will enhance Alberta's legal and strategic mechanisms to address any emergency, crisis or threat that may be made against the province or Albertans. The full text of these bills is available online at www.assembly.ab.ca/ (click on "Bills and Amendments").
