New Alberta law would give province power over municipalities during emergencies, move fixed election date

Alberta will be able to seize power from local authorities to respond to emergencies, such as wildfires and floods, under proposed legislation that threatens to further erode already tense relationships with municipal leaders.Premier Danielle Smith on Thursday introduced an omnibus bill aimed at improving public safety during natural disasters. As The Globe and Mail reported earlier in the day, it includes plans to move Alberta’s fixed election date from May to October to avoid springtime hazards, determine water-use priorities and take over emergency efforts from municipalities with or without their consent.“When we’ve had these major catastrophes in the past, whenever the post mortem is done, it’s always why didn’t the province step in earlier? Why wasn’t the province pro-active,” Ms. Smith said. “When that happens, time and time and time again, you have to start listening and that’s what we’re doing.”