The Alberta government has introduced its long-awaited recall legislation that will allow Albertans to initiate a process that could lead to the removal and replacement of their elected officials..Bill 52 gives Albertans a way to challenge elected officials they feel are not upholding their responsibilities during the course of their election term..Alberta’s Recall Act and Citizen Initiative Act comes into force on April 7..The new powers will enable electors to revoke a representative’s seat. Democratic representatives who will be subject to the act include MLAs, municipal officials, and school board officials..The legislation will strengthen democracy by allowing Albertans to hold elected officials accountable mid-term, not just during elections..“This is another promise kept — giving Albertans a greater say in the democratic process. The Citizen Initiative Act and Recall Act give Albertans the ability to directly set the priorities for the government and hold elected officials accountable throughout their term. These are among the most important democratic reforms in Alberta history,” said Jason Kenney, premier of Alberta..Eighteen months after an election and until six months prior to the following general election, an eligible Alberta voter can initiate the process to have an MLA recalled. If they believe an MLA in their constituency is not upholding their responsibilities, an Albertan can apply to the chief electoral officer for a petition to recall the official..If a voter is unhappy with a municipal official, they can notify the chief administrative officer in their municipality of their desire to start the recall process. The chief administrative officer would then publish a notice of the petition on the municipality’s website. The petitioner would have 60 days from the date the petition is published on the website to collect signatures from eligible voters that represent 40% of the population of the municipality or ward..If the petition is successful, at the next municipal council meeting, the chief administrative officer would make a declaration of the successful recall petition, and the official would be removed from office..For school board officials, if an Albertan feels an official elected to their school division is failing in their responsibilities, the voter can apply to the secretary of the school board. The petitioner would then have 120 days to gather signatures from eligible voters that would represent 40% of eligible voters in that school district..“This legislation strengthens democracy in our province by helping Albertans to be directly involved with it. Albertans can now hold elected officials in Alberta accountable outside of the four-year election cycle,” said Tyler Shandro, minister of Justice and solicitor general..Bill 52 also establishes contribution, expense, and third-party advertising rules for a recall petition and recall vote. These rules would be aligned, where possible, with the Election Act and Election Finance and Contributions Disclosure Act..In a nutshell:.The Recall Act allows Albertans to initiate a process that could lead to removing and replacing elected officials, including members of the legislative assembly (MLAs), municipal officials and school trustees during their term.The Citizen Initiative Act allows Albertans to bring their concerns and proposals forward to government for discussion or referendum.Contributions made under the Recall Act and Citizen Initiative Act are not eligible for income tax credits.Offenses and penalties align with existing elections legislation..“We promised to introduce and pass recall legislation. This is another promise made and kept.” Ric McIver, minister of Municipal Affairs said..The bill was given royal assent by the lieutenant governor in June 2021..Amanda Brown is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.abrown@westernstandardonline.com.,.Twitter: @WS_JournoAmanda
The Alberta government has introduced its long-awaited recall legislation that will allow Albertans to initiate a process that could lead to the removal and replacement of their elected officials..Bill 52 gives Albertans a way to challenge elected officials they feel are not upholding their responsibilities during the course of their election term..Alberta’s Recall Act and Citizen Initiative Act comes into force on April 7..The new powers will enable electors to revoke a representative’s seat. Democratic representatives who will be subject to the act include MLAs, municipal officials, and school board officials..The legislation will strengthen democracy by allowing Albertans to hold elected officials accountable mid-term, not just during elections..“This is another promise kept — giving Albertans a greater say in the democratic process. The Citizen Initiative Act and Recall Act give Albertans the ability to directly set the priorities for the government and hold elected officials accountable throughout their term. These are among the most important democratic reforms in Alberta history,” said Jason Kenney, premier of Alberta..Eighteen months after an election and until six months prior to the following general election, an eligible Alberta voter can initiate the process to have an MLA recalled. If they believe an MLA in their constituency is not upholding their responsibilities, an Albertan can apply to the chief electoral officer for a petition to recall the official..If a voter is unhappy with a municipal official, they can notify the chief administrative officer in their municipality of their desire to start the recall process. The chief administrative officer would then publish a notice of the petition on the municipality’s website. The petitioner would have 60 days from the date the petition is published on the website to collect signatures from eligible voters that represent 40% of the population of the municipality or ward..If the petition is successful, at the next municipal council meeting, the chief administrative officer would make a declaration of the successful recall petition, and the official would be removed from office..For school board officials, if an Albertan feels an official elected to their school division is failing in their responsibilities, the voter can apply to the secretary of the school board. The petitioner would then have 120 days to gather signatures from eligible voters that would represent 40% of eligible voters in that school district..“This legislation strengthens democracy in our province by helping Albertans to be directly involved with it. Albertans can now hold elected officials in Alberta accountable outside of the four-year election cycle,” said Tyler Shandro, minister of Justice and solicitor general..Bill 52 also establishes contribution, expense, and third-party advertising rules for a recall petition and recall vote. These rules would be aligned, where possible, with the Election Act and Election Finance and Contributions Disclosure Act..In a nutshell:.The Recall Act allows Albertans to initiate a process that could lead to removing and replacing elected officials, including members of the legislative assembly (MLAs), municipal officials and school trustees during their term.The Citizen Initiative Act allows Albertans to bring their concerns and proposals forward to government for discussion or referendum.Contributions made under the Recall Act and Citizen Initiative Act are not eligible for income tax credits.Offenses and penalties align with existing elections legislation..“We promised to introduce and pass recall legislation. This is another promise made and kept.” Ric McIver, minister of Municipal Affairs said..The bill was given royal assent by the lieutenant governor in June 2021..Amanda Brown is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.abrown@westernstandardonline.com.,.Twitter: @WS_JournoAmanda
