The Long Weekend Dump: 32 Orders, Zero Debate

Minister Justin Wright addresses a Medicine Hat barbecue on July 24, 2026, as Premier Danielle Smith looks on. Six days later, the government dropped 32 Orders in Council - including the quarantine powers Wright championed and the auto insurance overhaul that will affect every driver in Alberta. - Photo by Kelly Allard

On Thursday, July 30, the Alberta government quietly passed 32 Orders in Council - just days before the August long weekend. Buried among routine appointments were major policy changes that affect your auto insurance, public health, and energy royalties.

You knew no-fault auto insurance was coming.

You knew the government was eyeing natural gas royalties.

But you didn't know the details.

And you had no idea about the permanent quarantine powers.

Here's what they didn't tell you:

🚗 Auto insurance overhaul - You lose the right to sue in most accidents. Your insurer pays for accidents you didn't cause - and can't recover costs from the at-fault driver. Translation: your premiums will subsidize bad drivers.

💰 Natural gas royalties - The Crown can now take physical gas instead of cash. Taxpayers shoulder the financial risk if prices crash.

🛑 Quarantine powers - Health officials can now confine unvaccinated families to their homes for weeks. No public consultation. No warning. No sunset until 2036.

They gave us the headlines. They buried the details in 32 Orders in Council. We're digging through every one.