jewhyte / Depositphotos.com
EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government’s fall legislative session will focus on turning plans into action, emphasizing economic stability, resource development and stronger public services.
The 2025 speech from the throne, delivered Wednesday by Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani, opened the second session of the province’s 31st legislature. The speech set out priorities that include protecting individual freedoms, strengthening health care and education, and building long-term prosperity for Albertans.
“Albertans have been clear about their priorities, and this government is acting on them,” Smith said in a statement following the speech. “We are putting those priorities into action with policies that strengthen health care, improve classrooms, protect freedoms and advance nation-building projects that strengthen Alberta’s role as the driving force in Canada’s future.”
Lakhani told MLAs she trusted them to work with “diligence, compassion and mutual respect” as they debated and passed legislation in the months ahead.
The speech highlighted the government’s ongoing focus on fiscal discipline and diversification while safeguarding Alberta’s economy from external pressures such as U.S. tariffs and fluctuating energy prices. Plans to grow the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund to more than $250 billion by 2050 remain in place.
On federal relations, the province reiterated its intent to defend Alberta’s constitutional jurisdiction, particularly in resource development and economic policy. The government pledged to maintain diplomacy in dealings with Ottawa and Washington while continuing to partner with First Nations and industry.
The province also plans to pursue greater control over immigration, saying a more sustainable approach is needed to manage population growth. Investments will continue in transportation, infrastructure and social services to address the strain caused by the province’s rapid expansion.
In education, the government committed $8.6 billion to build 130 new schools and create 200,000 classroom spaces, following a three-year enrollment increase of more than 90,000 students.
Alberta’s health system will continue restructuring under the government’s plan to improve access to primary care, mental health and continuing care services. Smith said these efforts mark “a new era” for health care delivery in the province.
The speech also promised to protect personal rights and freedoms, with new investments in policing and public safety. Smith’s government reaffirmed its commitment to what it calls a “strong, free and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada,” and said it will continue to oppose any federal policies viewed as harmful to provincial interests.
Comments