The president of Alberta Municipalities, Tyler Gandam, has criticized the resolution to change the Municipal Government Act (MGA) to include political parties in the local elections.
Gandam – who’s also the mayor of Wetaskiwin – shared a series of recommendations in an April 9 press conference on how to improve transparency in local politics without introducing parties in local elections.
Alberta Municipalities’ four recommendations are as follows:
• Limit donation amounts to $2,500 per candidate. In recent reviews of Alberta’s election rules, Albertans signalled they want to see less money involved in local elections, not more. A reduction in contribution limits would go a long way towards creating a more level playing field and ensuring large donors do not drown out the voices of grassroots Albertans.
• Improve financial disclosure rules. Candidates should be required to file pre-election disclosure statements. Disclosure requirements for third-party advertisers should be strengthened. Voters should know who is donating money to candidates or indirectly supporting them through advertising. ABmunis recommends the limits on campaign contributions to candidates should also be applied to third parties so that Political Action Committees (PACs) don’t have an advantage over individual candidates.
• Change the nomination form to ensure the role of councillors is clearly understood. These changes would require candidates to confirm they understand the role of councillors as set out in the MGA.
• Make educational opportunities and resources available to prospective candidates. Legislation alone cannot fix divisiveness and dysfunction in municipal councils. That is why we are committed to working with Alberta Municipal Affairs and other associations to provide education and resources that support productive councils.
The municipalities said that these points were shared with Premier Danielle Smith and Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver by letter several weeks ago, as well as with ABmunis members via email.
Wetaskiwin councillors unanimously voted in favour of the idea to exclude political parties from local elections during their regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 8.
At the meeting, Gandam said “I move that city council supports Alberta municipalities in speaking out against the changes proposed to the municipal government act in regards to including political parties at the municipal level.”
Gandam further stated that, through a resolution of its members, Alberta Municipalities seeks to not have political parties included on local ballots.
“I have been working and looking for support from other municipalities from across the province to do it individually as well,” he said.
Gandam said he hopes any legislative changes the provincial government is considering will reflect the wishes of Albertans and be discussed with Alberta Municipalities and other organizations.