Particle.news
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
6mo ago

Alberta MLAs Approve $6.7 Million to Verify Recall Petitions, Add $3 Million for Referendum Prep

The decision follows revised cost estimates from the chief electoral officer after a surge of recalls created an administrative crunch.

The Alberta Legislature is seen in Edmonton, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Exterior of the Alberta Legislature building on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Photos by Shaughn Butts-Postmedia STOCK IMAGE
FILE: Pedestrians walk past an advance polling station sign outside Calgary city hall on Friday, April 12, 2019.
The Alberta Legislature is seen in Edmonton in this October 2024 file photo.--CP FILE PHOTO

Overview

  • A legislative committee voted unanimously on Dec. 12 to grant Elections Alberta $6.7 million for recall verification and a further $3 million to prepare for a likely referendum.
  • Elections Alberta has issued 21 recall petitions since late October, with all but one targeting UCP MLAs, including Premier Danielle Smith.
  • Following advice from the ethics commissioner, NDP MLA Amanda Chapman recused herself and UCP MLAs Nolan Dyck and Jackie Lovely were replaced for the vote.
  • Chief electoral officer Gordon McClure detailed costs of just over $300,000 per petition to verify, plus $1.5 million for postage and $2.4 million for staffing, after an earlier $13.5 million request was rejected.
  • The committee also approved only part of McClure’s next fiscal-year budget, signing off on about $51 million of a request just over $64 million, and granted smaller supplements to other legislative offices.