Thread by @MBellefontaine

MLAs are continuing their debate on Bill 66 which essentially walks back Bill 10 which was widely criticized as an overreach of government powers.

UCP MLAs Shane Getson: "I don't care what the oppostion is doing. There is one bus driver. That's the premier. He has the keys."

"That's the way the system works." #ableg

Getson is talking about how to not engage in polarization and save it for the fall, all while insulting the opposition.

"Talk about the good things."

#ableg

Hoffman said she said hi to Getson in the hallway and ask how he was doing. He replied "feeling strong and feeling dangerous" during the first wave in the pandemic. #ableg

Hoffman just tore a strip off Getson for demeaning the backgrounds of others. (Getson claimed he made tough decisions as a project manager unlike NDP MLAs who worked as social workers).

Hoffman says she ran a multi-billion dollar budget as a former health minster. #Ableg

Hoffman says she will honour past expertise of other MLAs on both sides of the aisle who have made tough decisions.

Like former police officers, former child welfare officers.

#ableg

Cypress Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes now. Talking about the drastic effects of the pandemic on his constituents. #ableg

Barnes says the chief medical officer of health is making law without consulting with 87 MLAs.

He says Bill 66 places no checks on her powers.

#ableg

Drew Barnes now tabling an amendment to Bill 66 to make a chief medical officer of health appear before a standing committee to take MLA questions on their orders every 90 days.

Also -- this would only apply during a public health emergency. #ableg

UCP MLA Miranda Rosin speaks favourably about the bill. Limiting and defining the role of the chief medical officer of health, taking out forced medical treatments and mandatory vaccinations.

(Not hearing her on the amendment that is on the floor from Drew Barnes). #ableg

NDP MLA Christina Gray calls point of order because Rosin hasn't spoken at all about the amendment.

Nick Milliken in the speaker's chair finds no point of order. #ableg

NDP MLA Kathleen Ganley om favour of Barnes's amendment.

She likes that MLAs would be allowed to ask the CMOH questions. She feels that there hasn't been enough "sunlight" on Hinshaw's advice to the premier and government. #ab;eg

Todd Loewen, fellow ex-UCP, now independent, now speaking in favour of Barnes amendment,

Barnes and Loewen have the same staffer and plan to work together on amendments.

#ableg

Loewen wonders why the UCP backbenchers aren't commenting on the Barnes amendment. #ableg

UCP MLA Joe Schow moves to adjourn debate.
They are reporting bills now considered in committee of the whole. #ableg

MLAs now moving on to Bill 67 which rewrites apprenticeship framework. First time this bill has been debated. #ableg

Bill 70 is on the order paper tonight for second reading but not sure when MLAs will get to it (possibly very late if they get to it at all)

This bill raises the legal standard for negligence when people sue LTC care homes for deaths of loved ones due to COVID. #ableg

Back to Bill 67. NDP MLA Christina Gray is concerned that many of the specifics in the bill will come via regulation.

#ableg

Now UCP MLA Shane Getson up to speak on this.
Saying that not all unions are at the same.
#ableg

He is boasting about going to the Boilermakers convention and being the only MLA from any party who ever stayed for the whole thing (so he was told).

Because he works in the industry.

Didn't just stay for the sound bites. #ableg

Now UCP MLA Peter Singh reads a statement about Bill 67.

He likes it.

#ableg

Debate is adjourned for the night on Bill 67 .

MLAs move on to more debate on Bill 62 in second reading.

(It's another red tape reduction act) #ableg