Odds are, if you ask the average Albertan how policy is made, they won't be able to tell you much about it. The policy-making process is not by any means kept secret from the public, and yet few people really know what and who makes it work. It's not uncommon for people across Canada to be confused about the policy-making process.  Oftentimes policy doesn't receive much media attention. Policy that may be considered controversial or especially important to Albertans is usually covered by the media, and is something you might see on the six o'clock news!

New government policy can be initiated from many sources (the general public, interest groups, industry, etc.) and it must be approved and sponsored by a Minister and researched by his/her department. The Minister will take the proposed policy to the Agenda and Priorities Committee which directs the item to one of the six Standing Policy Committees. The Standing Policy Committee studies the policy in detail, and its recommendation is sent to Cabinet and caucus for final approval.