Alberta Record

· Order in Council / Designation and Transfer of Responsibility Amendment Regulation · in-force

Order in Council 167/2023: Reassignment of Ministerial Responsibilities

The OIC makes the Designation and Transfer of Responsibility Amendment Regulation, which reassigns statutory responsibilities and transfers administrative functions and appropriations between several ministers and ministries.

High impactCentralization of powerInstitutional independenceThe public, directly

What changed

  • Transfers responsibility for women's shelters programs and associated appropriations from the Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services to the Minister of Children and Family Services.
  • Reassigns common responsibility for specific sections of the Mines and Minerals Act and the Responsible Energy Development Act among the Ministers of Energy and Minerals, Environment and Protected Areas, and Indigenous Relations.
  • Designates the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas as responsible for the Alberta Land Stewardship Act and transfers related land planning and policy functions and appropriations from the Minister of Forestry and Parks.
  • Reassigns parts of the Investing in a Diversified Alberta Economy Act; transfers international trade and investment functions and appropriations from the Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism to the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade.
  • Transfers the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act and Horse Racing Alberta Act, along with related public service functions and appropriations, from Treasury Board and Finance to Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction.
  • Transfers responsibility for sport-related programs and appropriations from the Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women to the Minister of Tourism and Sport.

Why it matters

  • Centralizes oversight for women's shelters under a ministry focused on children and families, potentially streamlining related services.
  • Clarifies and reallocates ministerial authority over natural resource development and environmental protection, impacting land use and energy policy.
  • Consolidates economic development, trade, and immigration functions under a single ministry, potentially affecting provincial economic strategy.
  • Streamlines regulatory oversight for gaming, liquor, and cannabis by transferring it to a ministry focused on service delivery and red tape reduction.
  • Realigns ministerial portfolios to reflect new government priorities or administrative efficiencies across several sectors.
  • Impacts the allocation of public funds and administrative resources across multiple government departments.

Other governance concerns

  • Potential impact on service delivery continuity due to transfers of administrative functions.
  • Changes in accountability structures for specific government programs and statutory responsibilities.
  • Reallocation of financial resources and appropriations between ministries.
  • Shifts in policy direction due to new ministerial oversight for various Acts and programs.

Primary sources (1)