More changes are coming to tackle the culture of entitlement at the Alberta Legislature, says Premier Rachel Notley.

After banning political donations from corporations and unions earlier this summer, Notley said this week that more changes need to be made to elections financing and conflict of interest legislation in order to address the gaps in accountability fostered by 44 years of PC government.

"We frankly agree with our colleagues across the aisle that there's a number of changes that need to be added to elections financing to ensure that there's fairness there. Donation limits, spending limits, more clearly defining what is a contribution, looking at third-party contributions. All those things need to be addressed," she said.

The all-party Special Ethics and Accountability Committee -- chaired by Edmonton-Mill Woods MLA Christina Gray -- will review the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act, the Conflicts of Interest Act, and the Whistleblower Protection Act over the next year with a goal of finding common ground on changes, said Notley.

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The review will pay special attention to the Conflicts of Interest Act, she said, as the act currently does not cover the hundreds of agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs) in Alberta including large organizations like Alberta Health Services.

"Almost 50 per cent of tax dollars spent in Alberta are spent on agencies, boards and commissions right now," said Notley.

"I hadn't realized the rate and which the previous administration had contracted out governance but over half of it is now administered by ABCs and they're not covered."

Notley said the sheer number of ABCs creates "a variety of problems" in terms of efficiency, levels of responsibility, outcomes and service delivery across government "so we need to take a good, hard look at that."

"Getting a hold of that beast is not an overnight solution," she said. "It's going to take a bit longer than we thought because the complexity is so great but we are going to do it."

The Special Ethics and Accountability Committee's first official meeting has been set for Sept. 29.

matthew.dykstra@sunmedia.ca

@SunMattDykstra