Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt believes the first duty of any government is to protect public safety.  

That's why she is so much in favour of legislation that will be brought forward by the Alberta government in the next sitting of the legislature that begins tomorrow (February 25).

Last week, Nate Glubish, Minister of Service Alberta announced he'd be putting forward legislation to ban convicted sex offenders from legally changing their names in the province.  Last week Saskatchewan became the first province in Canada to ban people convicted of certain sex crimes from changing their names.  The province took the step so that if sex offenders were moving to a different neighbourhood or different area, communities would know and the offender wouldn't be able to hide behind a name change.

Pitt applauds her government for proceeding with similar legislation.  "The first duty of government is to protect the public and if introducing legislation that doesn't allow sex offenders to change their names achieves that goal, then that is a priority for this UCP government."

Pitt said she was surprised to find out that there was nothing in place to prevent these name changes from happening and wondered how it could be so easy for a person to change their name after committing a heinous crime.

"Victims have to live with the trauma that's been inflicted on them for the rest of their lives and people in the community have a right to know who's done what," Pitt said.

She also isn't concerned that the offender's civil rights might be violated by such legislation.  "Criminals who have paid their dues to society certainly have a right to continue to live their lives but not hiding from the name and from the person that they are."

Pitt said the community of Airdrie is a place to raise families and should be safe to do so.  "We deserve to know who our neighbours are and who is coaching our kids or chaperoning them for extra-curricular activities."

Pitt said she's uncertain when Glubish plans to table the legislation but said it will definitely be in the upcoming sitting, which first needs to get the Provincial Budget out of the way on February 27th.  

If constituents wish to provide feedback on the proposed legislation, Pitt said she'd love to hear it.  "I'm happy to hear any feedback from constituents.  Of course, I'm available through my office or via email and I'm happy to receive input from the public on this as we move forward in creating the legislation and debating it in the legislature."

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