Provincial Priorities Act*

Summary#

• Bill 18 (Provincial Priorities Act) would require cities, school boards, universities, health authorities, and other public bodies in Alberta to get provincial approval before signing or changing any agreements with the federal government.

• The goal is to make sure federal deals match Alberta’s priorities. Agreements made without provincial approval would have no legal effect.

• Key changes:

  • Provincial approval would be needed before any provincial entity can enter, amend, extend, or renew an agreement with a federal body.
  • The provincial Cabinet (the Premier and ministers) will set the approval process and criteria through regulations.
  • Cabinet can name more organizations that are covered, and can also create exemptions for certain bodies or types of agreements.
  • A minister or other authorized person can grant exemptions in specific cases.
  • Some agreements are excluded by law or by future regulations.
  • The law takes effect on a date set by the province (by proclamation), not right away.

What it means for you#

• General public

  • Projects that rely on direct federal funding to local bodies (like housing, transit, or infrastructure) may face an extra approval step at the provincial level.
  • This could mean closer alignment with provincial plans, but it could also mean delays or changes to project scope if approval is slow or denied.

• Municipalities (cities, towns, counties)

  • You must seek provincial approval before signing or changing funding agreements with the federal government.
  • Agreements made without approval would not be valid, which could affect timelines for grants, infrastructure, or housing programs.
  • Some types of agreements might be exempt if Cabinet or a minister allows it.

• School boards and post-secondary institutions

  • Direct federal research or program funding may now require provincial approval first.
  • Planning may need more lead time to account for the approval process.

• Health authorities and related providers

  • Direct federal agreements (for health projects, equipment, or programs) would need provincial approval.
  • Day-to-day care should not change immediately, but timelines for new federally funded initiatives could shift.

• Provincial agencies and Crown-controlled organizations

  • Internal processes will likely change to add the required approval step, based on rules Cabinet sets.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Ensures federal money and programs line up with Alberta’s priorities and plans.
• Improves coordination across the province and reduces duplication or conflicting projects.
• Protects provincial jurisdiction by preventing federal “workarounds” with local bodies.
• Creates a single, consistent process so organizations know the rules before signing deals.
• Allows flexibility: Cabinet or a minister can exempt certain agreements to keep things moving when needed.

Opponents' View#

• Could delay or block federal funding for cities, schools, universities, and health projects, slowing housing, transit, or infrastructure work.
• Adds red tape and uncertainty for local bodies that already have tight timelines for grants.
• Centralizes power with Cabinet and ministers, which critics say could politicize decisions about local projects.
• Risk that Alberta could miss out on federal programs if approvals are denied or take too long.
• Broad definitions and wide regulation-making powers may create confusion until detailed rules are published.