EDMONTON, AB: Putting power back into the hands of voters and keeping MLAs accountable to their constituents is the guiding principle behind Wildrose Chestermere-Rocky View MLA Leela Aheer’s Bill 206, the Recall Act, the Wildrose Official Opposition said today.
Under this new legislation, scheduled to be debated later today, voters would be empowered to recall their MLAs and force a byelection. It would require 20 per cent of the voters in a riding to sign an official petition within 60 days, with a $5,000 application fee to prevent frivolous attempts.
“Albertans are tired of seeing their MLAs pretend they can act with immunity between elections, whether it’s failing to consult constituents about major decisions, or toeing the government line on bad policy,” Aheer said. “With the Recall Act, voters will be empowered knowing there is a reasonable check-and-balance against politicians who put their own self-interest above the interests of the people they represent.”
The Recall Act would make it illegal for canvassers to be paid, eliminating any threat of well-financed groups or individuals having undue influence in any recall initiatives. Canvassers would be required to be Alberta residents for at least six months.
“Albertans want their politicians to be accountable to them not just during elections, but also in-between elections when MLAs might make decisions that break trust, hurt people’s livelihoods or make life for Albertans more expensive,” Nixon said. “Bill 206 gives a high enough threshold to ensure stability is maintained in our political system, while placing power back into the hands of all Albertans.”