Alberta Requires Laws to Implement Treaties

Summary#

• This bill sets rules for how Alberta treats international agreements that Canada signs.

• Its main goal is to say Alberta is only bound by parts of those deals that touch provincial areas if Alberta passes its own law.

• Key changes:

  • Defines “international agreement” as a deal signed by the Government of Canada with foreign countries or international organizations.
  • Says Alberta is not bound by parts of an agreement that deal with provincial matters (like health, education, resources, or local contracts) unless the Alberta Legislature passes a law to put them into effect.
  • Applies this rule to both past and future agreements.
  • Repeals Alberta’s previous law that dealt with implementing trade and investment agreements.

What it means for you#

• General public

  • Day-to-day life will not change right away.
  • Future changes tied to international deals will happen in Alberta only if the Legislature passes a law.

• Businesses and exporters

  • Market access set by federal deals at the border continues to be handled by the federal government.
  • Rules inside Alberta that come from international deals (for example, government purchasing rules) will only change if Alberta passes its own law.
  • There may be more waiting or extra steps before Alberta rules change after a new international deal.

• Municipalities, school boards, universities, and health authorities

  • Do not need to change policies due to an international agreement unless there is an Alberta law that says so.
  • Keep an eye on new Alberta legislation if a trade or cooperation deal might affect procurement or service standards.

• Provincial public servants and regulators

  • Must look to Alberta statutes before applying terms from international agreements in provincial areas.

Expenses#

Estimated direct cost to the province: minimal administrative costs.

• No new program spending is created by the bill itself.
• Could require staff time for legal review and drafting Alberta laws when new international deals are signed.
• No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Protects Alberta’s authority over provincial areas like health, education, natural resources, and local contracts.
• Ensures democratic oversight, since the Legislature must pass a law before treaty rules apply in Alberta.
• Clarifies the rules so Alberta is not automatically bound by federal deals in provincial areas.
• Aligns with the idea that provinces control how international commitments are carried out in their own fields.
• Repealing the old implementation law avoids automatic or broad changes and requires clear, case-by-case approval.

Opponents' View#

• Could create uncertainty for businesses about when international rules will take effect in Alberta.
• May slow down the benefits of trade and investment deals if Alberta needs separate laws each time.
• Risk of disputes if Alberta does not implement parts of agreements that partners expect to apply across Canada.
• Repealing the prior implementation law might lead to more piecemeal legislation and red tape.
• Could strain coordination with the federal government and other provinces on shared economic goals.