26th Alberta Legislature

The members of the 26th Legislature were elected in the 26th Alberta general election held on November 22, 2004. In the list below, cabinet members' names are bolded; leaders of official parties are italicized.

This legislature had the distinction of being addressed by Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, to help celebrate Alberta's centennial.^[1]

Party standings after 26th General Elections

• The Alberta Court of Appeal declared Thomas Lukaszuk the victor more than two months after the election. The election-night vote count had given Chris Kibermanis of the Liberals a five-vote win, but the judicial recount gave Lukaszuk a three-vote margin of victory.

• A party requires four seats to have official party status in the legislature. Parties with fewer than four seats are not entitled to party funding although their members will usually be permitted to sit together in the chamber.

Notable events

• The province's centennial occurred during the 26th Legislature, on September 1, 2005. Earlier that year, on May 24, 2005, Elizabeth II made an official visit to the province in commemoration of the centennial.^[2]
• On March 1, 2006, premier Ralph Klein announced a series of controversial health care reforms which involved allowing greater levels of privatization in Alberta's public health care system. Later that day, the premier received significant media attention after throwing a book at a 17-year-old page.
• On March 15, 2006, and throughout the year, the Legislative Assembly celebrated the centennial of the first sitting of the Legislature.
• On April 6, 2006, Ted Morton introduced the controversial Bill 208, Protection of Fundamental Freedoms (Marriage) Statutes Amendment Act, 2006. Critics maintained that the bill removed limitations on free speech where homosexual individuals were concerned, potentially removing recourse for verbal abuse and discrimination. The bill died on the order paper on May 18, 2006.

Standings changes during the 26th Assembly

1. February 2, 2005 Chris Kibermanis, Edmonton Castle Downs removed from office after a judicial recount.
2. February 2, 2005 Thomas Lukaszuk, Edmonton Castle Downs becomes the MLA by court order.
3. March 22, 2006 Lyle Oberg, Strathmore-Brooks suspended from the Progressive Conservative caucus
4. July 25, 2006 Lyle Oberg, Strathmore-Brooks rejoins the Progressive Conservatives
5. January 15, 2007 Ralph Klein, Calgary-Elbow resigns
6. January 15, 2007 Shirley McClellan, Drumheller-Stettler resigns
7. June 12, 2007 Craig Cheffins, Calgary-Elbow elected in by-election
8. June 12, 2007 Jack Hayden, Drumheller-Stettler elected in by-election
9. November 20, 2006 Dan Backs, Edmonton Manning was expelled from the Liberal caucus.
10. September 27, 2007 Gary Mar, Calgary Mackay resigns to accept a government appointment.
11. January 19, 2008 Paul Hinman, Cardston-Taber-Warner forms the Wildrose Alliance caucus.

References

External links

• Alberta Legislative Assembly