Did the RCMP seize guns under authority of Alberta's Emergency Management Act before it was in force?

*updated. See bottom of page.

June 28, 2013 Alberta Government news release:  (note the first line. highlighting mine)

" In response to a request from the mayor, the Alberta government has declared a provincial state of emergency in the Town of High River and will assume responsibility for emergency operations, programs and services.

"The disaster in High River has been overwhelming. That’s why we are taking this unique and unprecedented step," said Doug Griffiths, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Mayor Blokland and his administration have done outstanding work dealing with this situation, but it has become clear to both the mayor and me that the tasks ahead require significant resources and expertise. The province is ready to step in and provide that and build on that as necessary."
"Given the scope and scale of this disaster, I have decided the best course of action for getting the people of High River back into their homes as soon as possible is for the province to take charge of the coordination and implementation of emergency operations," said Emile Blokland, Mayor of High River.
Effective immediately, Rick Fraser, Associate Minister of Regional Recovery and Reconstruction for High River, will assume responsibility and control of emergency operations in High River. He will be supported by an official from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency and other provincial and town employees. They will assist Fraser with all necessary plans and programs and link into the provincial operations centre.
“We understand residents’ frustration, however it is critical we focus on the recovery and rebuilding process, therefore all emergency orders must be followed for health and safety reasons,” added Griffiths.
Our government was elected to keep building Alberta, to live within its means and to fight to open new markets for Alberta’s resources. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for."



*It couldn't have been the mayor or other local authority either because according to Sec 18-1 of the Alberta Emergency Management Act  a State of Emergency can only be declared by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and has to be published or announced publicly.

Part 2

State of Emergency 

Declaration of state of emergency

18 (1)

The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, at any time when

the Lieutenant Governor in Council is satisfied that an emergency

exists or may exist, make an order for a declaration of a state of

emergency relating to all or any part of Alberta.


And other than the release at the top of the page I have not found anything else that says it occurred before June 28th 2013.






So if no State of Emergency, which gives the police the extraordinary powers listed under Section 19, was declared before today, under which law or authority did the RCMP enter private residences and seize personal property?


If you have an answer be sure to let me know because right now I am not seeing it.

*Update: Got to eat some crow on this one as the AEMA does give section 19 powers to municipalities when they declare a local state of emergency, which in this case was done on June 19, 2013 at 7:04AM.
This does bring up other questions as to how and when this can occur ( can they do so on a whim or is their some provincial oversight?) and should local authorities be given such sweeping Charter of Rights limiting powers, but those can wait until this entire subject is brought up in the Alberta Legislature. And you know it will be.

H/T @Resedico

Watch as Alberta Health Minister Fred Horne does an epic flip flop on AHS executive bonus pay.

June 2013: Fred Horne fires the entire AHS Board for their refusal not to be arms length from the PC government and do what they are told. (although they did exactly what they were told and did "reconsider its decision to pay executive bonuses." Horne just didn't like their decision.)

March 2013:  “Regardless of how people feel about the decision of the AHS board, I don’t think anybody would want me or a colleague to interfere with the terms of their employment they’ve agreed to. It’s a decision for the AHS board,”

“I don’t have the authority to interfere with someone’s contract of employment.”

“We’ll take the appropriate time as government to look at what they’re planning to do, ask questions and (ask) for clarification,” said Horne.

“It’s important to recognize it’s difficult times, it’s tough choices. When people make those tough choices, we need to be there to support them."

Read the story and watch the video here.