Alberta Record

· Bill / Critical Infrastructure Expansion · enacted

Bill 31 — Expansion of Critical Infrastructure Defence Act

Expands the definition of "essential infrastructure" under the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act to include a broader range of health-care facilities and other sites.

High impactCivil libertiesThe public, directly

What changed

  • The definition of "essential infrastructure" in the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act is expanded.
  • New categories include public hospitals, chartered surgical facilities, continuing care homes, mental health facilities, and emergency health services facilities.
  • The definition also includes any building, structure, or mobile facility used by regulated health professionals to provide health services.

Why it matters

  • Broadens the scope of the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act, which restricts access to and protests near designated sites.
  • Potentially impacts civil liberties, including freedom of assembly and expression, by increasing the number of locations where protests could be subject to penalties.
  • Extends provincial authority to protect a wider array of health-care facilities from disruptions.

Rights affected

  • Freedom of expression — The freedom to speak, publish, and access ideas.
  • Freedom of assembly — The freedom to gather, protest, and organise.

Other governance concerns

  • Freedom of assembly
  • Freedom of expression
  • Right to protest

Primary sources (1)

Secondary sources (1)