By Canadian Press

Kenney defends Alberta referendum bill, accuses NDP of hypocrisy on campaign spending

Jun 25, 2020 | 9:07 AM

EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is pushing back on Opposition claims his new referendum bill is a backdoor attempt to influence debate in elections while introducing big money back into politics.

Kenney says his legislation is simply about granting more power to the people.

He says the increase in spending limits for third-party advertisers are within reasonable limits.

The bill would give cabinet the power to determine which issues can go to referendum, how the question is worded, and how, where, and when they are to be held.

The bill also proposes to allow third-party advertisers seeking to influence public opinion on a referendum issue to spend up to half-a-million dollars.

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Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley says the bill is anti-democratic.

She says it allows Kenney to sway public opinion during a provincial election and allows donors to contribute heavily with little oversight.

This report was first published by the Canadian Press on June 25, 2020.