Payday fees cut; liquor, cannabis markups set

Summary#

This bill is a housekeeping package that updates many Alberta laws. Most changes are minor, but a few affect everyday life. The biggest shifts are a lower fee cap on payday loans, new power for the Minister to set wholesale prices and mark-ups for liquor and cannabis, and making video witnessing of key legal documents permanent.

• Lowers the maximum cost of a payday loan from $15 to $14 per $100 borrowed (effective January 1, 2025).
• Lets the Minister set the price and mark-up the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) must charge liquor and cannabis licensees (in force on Proclamation).
• Makes video witnessing of wills, powers of attorney, personal directives, and guarantee acknowledgments a permanent option.
• Moves the list of covered professional regulators in two laws (fair registration and labour mobility) from the statute into regulations, so the list can be updated faster (in force on Proclamation).
• Updates liquor/cannabis rules: use “date of birth” for ID checks; cannabis retailers must hire staff who meet AGLC rules and policies rather than be on a specific “good standing” list.
• Many small fixes: ministry name updates, cross‑references, wording clean‑ups, and technical corrections.

What it means for you#

• Borrowers

  • Payday loans get slightly cheaper: lenders can charge up to $14 per $100 instead of $15, starting January 1, 2025.
  • Stores must update posted signs to show the new maximum cost.

• Bar, restaurant, and cannabis retailers

  • Your wholesale cost for liquor and cannabis could change because the Minister will set prices and mark-ups AGLC must charge (takes effect on Proclamation).
  • ID checks will focus on “date of birth” wording, which may simplify staff training and compliance signs.
  • Cannabis shops must ensure employees meet qualifications in AGLC regulations and policies. A specific “good standing” list is no longer referenced.

• People signing legal documents

  • You can use two‑way video to sign and witness these documents on an ongoing basis, not just during a limited period:
    • Wills
    • Personal directives (instructions for future personal care)
    • Powers of attorney (who can manage your finances)
    • Guarantee acknowledgments (promising to pay someone else’s debt)
  • This can save time, travel, and notarization hassles, especially in rural areas or for people with mobility issues.

• Regulated professionals and skilled workers

  • Which regulators are covered by Alberta’s fair registration and labour mobility laws will now be set by regulation, not listed in the law. Day‑to‑day rules don’t change now, but future updates can happen faster.
  • If you are applying to work in a regulated field, your regulator’s inclusion under these laws could be updated without a new bill.

• Municipalities and residents

  • Small technical changes to the Municipal Government Act and appeal notice wording. Little to no direct effect on property owners or local services.

• Environment

  • Ministry name and federal law references are updated. No change to environmental standards for the public.

• Schools and teachers

  • Updates the legal definition of “teacher” to align with the Education Act. No change to classroom roles or qualifications.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Lowers costs for vulnerable borrowers and reduces payday loan fees by about $1 per $100 borrowed.
• Modernizes legal paperwork by keeping video witnessing, which improves access, especially for people in remote areas or with health limits.
• Gives government clearer tools to manage liquor and cannabis prices and mark-ups, which can respond faster to market changes or public health goals.
• Cuts red tape by moving regulator lists into regulations, so the list can be updated quickly without passing a new law.
• Clarifies ID rules (“date of birth”) and simplifies staffing rules for cannabis shops, making compliance more straightforward.
• Cleans up outdated ministry names, cross-references, and typos to make laws easier to read and apply.

Opponents' View#

• Minister‑set liquor and cannabis mark-ups could add uncertainty or politicize pricing, which may raise costs for small businesses and consumers.
• A lower payday loan cap may lead some lenders to close or tighten access, possibly pushing desperate borrowers to riskier, unregulated options.
• Permanent video witnessing could raise fraud or coercion risks if identity checks and safeguards are not strong enough.
• Moving regulator lists into regulations reduces direct legislative oversight and could change which professions are covered without a public debate in the Assembly.
• Replacing a specific cannabis employee “good standing” list with general qualifications may weaken screening if policies are not clear or well enforced.