Legislation proposed by Chestermere-Rocky View Wildrose MLA Leela Aheer on Nov. 30 would give voters the ability to recall elected representatives – though the bill may never be debated in the legislature after being sent to committee.
“If the government chooses not to reset in February, there’s a chance my bill might have a chance,” Aheer said. “If not, it will be prorogued and it will be dead.”
As proposed, Bill 206 –The Recall Act – would enable voters to recall MLAs if 20 per cent of voters in a riding sign an official petition within 60 days of the issuing of the petition. A $5,000 application fee would be required in order to ensure legitimacy.
Applications from paid canvassers would be made illegal, ensuring groups could not finance a recall campaign.
Airdrie MLA Angela Pitt said she supports the bill.
“This is something that our Wildrose membership has been very loud about over the years, and more recently I think it’s expanded into a broader reach,” Pitt said.
“It’s something we’re definitely hearing from the people, and for us it’s just about accountability. It’s about allowing the people to have a voice towards their MLAs should these elected officials end up doing something really damaging during their term. This offers a layer of accountability to change that course.”
Since introducing the bill, Aheer said the reaction has been “mixed” on social media platforms.
“As many people who loved (the recall legislation) hated it. But I honestly think there is a big movement one way,” she said. “You are accountable for the decisions you make on behalf of your constituents.”
Currently, the only province with recall legislation is British Columbia. However, under that legislation, voters must collect signatures from 40 per cent of eligible voters in the electoral district.
According to Pitt, the requirement that only 20 per cent of voters in a riding sign the petition is only a suggestion at this point.
“As it stands right now, that’s just what’s been put forward. We haven’t had a chance to debate this bill in the legislature to either strengthen it or make those changes. It’s essentially at the discovery phase right now,” she said. “We haven’t had a chance to debate on it and consult and make sure it’s good.”
Pitt said although the floor crossings that happened a year ago when then Wildrose leader Danielle Smith and eight other MLAs crossed to join the Progressive Conservative Party, were not the sole impetus for the proposed bill, they did play a part.
“Certainly after the floor crossings we heard a lot about recall legislation. Sometimes MLAs do things during their term that are completely contrary to what they were elected to do. This has always been a Wildrose policy,” she said.
