With the 2025 municipal election now less than three months away, incumbents and challengers are gearing up for the race in towns, villages and counties across the region.
As with past local elections, voters here can expect to see many excellent candidates vying for positions on municipal councils. And with the elected council members playing important roles in the day-to-day lives of their respective communities, the success of the coming election is vital to the community-at-large.
In the run-up to the 2025 election, the provincial government has been surveying municipal elected officials and senior administrators about councillor recall legislation.
Under the Municipal Government Act (MGA), recall has been available since the 2021 general election. Currently, a petition requires signatures from 40 per cent of the municipality’s population, and petitions cannot be submitted during an election year or within 18 months of an official’s election.
Regarding threshold considerations, the survey asks, “Should the required signature percentage change? And which population figure should determine eligibility – total population, eligible voters, or voter turnout?
The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA), which represents dozens of municipalities including Mountain View and Red Deer counties, has issued a release on its position vis-a-vis municipal elected official recall.
The association says the recall system must be “fair, equitable and precisely defined through legislation and regulations” and recalls should only be triggered for clear, serious breaches including contravention of the MGA as well as contravention of the Local Authorities Election Act, and serious criminal convictions of sitting candidates.
As well, the association says it, “Firmly opposes any involvement by political parties in initiating, promoting, or financially supporting recall petition campaigns.
“Clear, objective criteria are essential to maintain the integrity of the process and ensure that councillor recall is not used as a political tool but rather as a legitimate accountability mechanism.”
In considering the issue of elected official recall legislation going forward, the provincial government should be encouraged to give due consideration to input bring provided by key stakeholders such as the RMA.
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
