The Alberta government wants to give itself new powers to more quickly manage forest fires, floods, droughts and other emergencies.

Bill 21, which will allow the province to assume authority over local emergency response during wildfire, flood and drought, is one of three recent bills introduced in recent weeks that have subordinated local authority, said the presidents of Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) and Alberta Municipalities.

City leaders were not consulted before Premier Danielle Smith introduced an omnibus bill aimed at improving public safety during natural disasters

Alberta is moving its election date from the spring to the fall to avoid clashing with major natural disasters -- but the Opposition says in doing so, Premier Danielle Smith’s government is conveniently granting itself six extra months of power.