6. Alberta's Government


Workbook Page 22

The Lieutenant Governor represents the Queen in Alberta. Each province has its own Lieutenant Governor.
Who is Alberta's Lieutenant Governor?
(To find out who the Lieutenant Governor is, click here.)



The elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) work together in the Legislature. The Premier asks some MLAs in her party to give advice about different government programs they run as part of her cabinet. Some Ministry programs are so big the Cabinet Ministers have other MLAs to help them. They are called Associate Ministers. MLAs in the party in charge who do not have these jobs are called backbenchers because they sit in the back rows of the Legislature behind the Ministers. Members of other parties sit on the opposite side of the Legislature from the party in power.

Workbook Page 23

Alberta's Political Parties

Most MLAs belong to a political party. Members of a political party must agree to say that the same things are important and work toward the same goals.

Who are the parties in the Alberta Legislature and their leaders?

Put your answers in the blue and white boxes on Workbook page 15.

To check your answers, click on the links below.
Party #1     Leader #1
Party #2     Leader #2
Party #3     Leader #3
Party #4     Leader #4
Party #5     Leader #5

Which party is in power?
(Hint - it has the most MLAs.)

The Premier leads the party in power and forms the government. Who is our Premier?

Which party is the official opposition?
(Hint - It has the second most MLAs)

Who is the leader of the opposition party?

The opposition's job is to keep the government honest and open with the people of Alberta. They ask questions and point out problems.
Workbook Page 24

Who is my MLA?

Your MLA represents you with Alberta's government. You can find your MLA three ways:
  • Visit Elections Alberta on the web at http://streetkey.elections.ab.ca/
    Type in your postal code or pick your city from the list & type in your address.
  • Call 403-310-0000 (in the south part of Alberta) or 780-310-0000 (in the north part of Alberta). Give your address. Ask who your MLA is.
  • Find where you live on the map. Then type in the electoral district number or name on this page.
Click here for maps of all over Alberta.
Click here for a map of Calgary.
Click here for a map of Edmonton.

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