Bill 22, the Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act
(Bill 22), passed third reading in the provincial
Legislature on July 15, 2020 and received Royal Assent on July 23.
The amendments to the legislation affected by Bill 22 will come
into force upon proclamation. This omnibus bill will enact changes
to 14 statutes across six ministries. Overall, these changes are
intended to promote job creation and economic growth by eliminating
unnecessary procedural burdens and bureaucratic barriers on
Albertans and businesses.
One of the ways in which Bill 22 attempts to reduce "red
tape" is by limiting the amount of oversight that the
provincial Cabinet (Cabinet) has over provincial
Ministries. Of particular note to the oil and natural gas industry
is the removal of certain Cabinet approvals required under the
Mines and Minerals Act RSA 2000 c. M-17 (the
MMA) and the Oil Sands Conservation
Act (OSCA) RSA 2000 c. O-7.
Moreover, Bill 22 will also remove Cabinet oversight under the