Alberta Legislature. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Recall Act introduced

Bill proposed to give people the power to kick out elected officials who aren’t doing their job

Mar 15, 2021 | 3:53 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Are the elected officials in your riding not adequately representing their constituents? Well, you might soon be able to file a petition for recall.

Cardston-Siksika MLA Joseph Schow has introduced the Recall Act, which, if passed, would allow Albertans to remove government officials from office.

This goes for MLAs, municipal officials, and school board officials.

The applicant would be responsible for all costs associated with the gathering of signatures, but they can accept contributions towards this. There are limits on how much money different groups are able to contribute.

Full details on the proposed legislation, from the final report filed last November, can be read here.

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MLAs:

The process for a recall can be started if at least 18 months after a provincial election has passed but it is more than six months before the next election.

“If they feel the MLA in their constituency is not upholding their responsibilities, an Albertan can apply to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for a petition to recall that elected official,” reads a document from the provincial government.

If the application is complete and meets the requirements of the Act, the CEO will issue a petition.

Once that happens, you would have 60 days to gather signatures. In order to go ahead, the petition must be signed by a minimum of 40 per cent of eligible voters in that constituency.

The applicant can have volunteers to assist in the gathering process.

“If the recall petition is successful, a recall vote would be held to determine if the elected official should be recalled. If the recall vote is successful, by a simple majority, the official ceases to hold office and a by-election would be held.”

Municipal Officials:

Eligible voters can notify the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in their municipality if they feel an elected official is not upholding their responsibilities.

The CAO would then publish a notice of the petition on the municipality’s website. The petitioner would then have 60 days to gather petitions from a minimum of 40 per cent of the population of their municipality or ward.

If the petition is successful, the CAO would make a declaration at the next council meeting and the member would be removed.

School Board Officials:

If an eligible voter feels their elected officials are not upholding their responsibilities, they can apply to the secretary of the school board.

The petitioner would then have 120 days to gather signatures from at least 40 per cent of eligible voters in that school district.

If the petition is successful, the official will be removed.