Policy memo ยท August 28, 2026
A Proportionate Rule Has a Proportionate Proof Burden
The more a rule limits lawful behaviour, the clearer the proof burden should be.
To: Bill 208 reviewers
Recommended moves
- State the youth-access channel the bill is meant to address.
- Publish enforcement capacity before implementation.
- Add a review trigger if illegal supply or adult access problems increase.
The proportionality question
Bill 208 changes the treatment of flavoured single-use products. A proportionate review should ask whether that specific change is targeted to a proven failure, enforceable across Alberta, and reversible if it causes a worse problem.
Proportionate regulation is not anti-enforcement. It is enforcement with a scale, a target, and a way to check results.