Danielle Smith introduces new ‘authoritarian’ bills
Image source: CBC News
Local democracy in Alberta is under attack. Premier Danielle Smith’s UCP government has announced new Bills 18 and 20 that together would give the provincial cabinet sweeping new powers to remove councillors, overturn local bylaws, and block federal funding to a variety of “provincial entities” including municipalities, universities, school boards, housing agencies and health authorities.
Gatekeeper Bill 18 would block federal funding that doesn’t align with UCP ideology
Ric McIver has threatened to veto federal funding to municipalities. (Image source: CBC News)
Bill 18, the “Provincial Priorities Act”, would allow the Alberta government to play gatekeeper and arbitrarily block federal funding to “provincial entities” in Alberta, including municipalities, universities, school boards, housing agencies, health authorities without provincial approval. Bill 18 doesn’t specify how to get approval.
Citing disagreement with Ottawa’s “ideology” as justification for the bill, Premier Smith pointed to the federal government plans to give $6-billion to municipalities across Canada to help build new housing and infrastructure as the last straw. Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver has threatened to veto this funding.
UCP ideology now dictated by far-right Take Back Alberta group
Coutts, Alberta border blockade. (Image source: David Rae/CBC News)
Since the takeover of the UCP by the far-right social conservative Take Back Alberta group the priorities of the Premier Smith’s UCP Government have shifted to stealing pensions, creating a redundant provincial police force, attacking the rights of transgender youth, restricting sex education in classrooms, forcing incarceration on Albertans experiencing homelessness, open pit coal mining the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, clearcutting Kananaskis, banning renewable energy, and numerous other unpopular policies Smith never campaigned on.
Bill 18 is the ‘death’ of objectivity in Alberta
Image source: CBC News
Academics in Alberta and across Canada are speaking out about the dangers of politicians interfering with academic freedom that will drive students out of Alberta and stifle innovation.
Bill 20 would force political parties on municipalities despite province-wide opposition
Bill 20 would force partisanship on municipal councils in Calgary and Edmonton through the creation of municipal political parties. The Alberta government’s own engagement data shows that more than 70% of Albertans are opposed to this idea.
Alberta Government’s own public engagement survey shows more than 70% of respondents disagree with adding political parties to municipal election ballots. (Source: Edmonton Journal)
Bill 20 would grant the provincial cabinet 'authoritarian' powers to overturn local democracy
Tyler Gandam, president of Alberta Municipalities (Image source: CBC News)
Under Bill 20, the provincial cabinet would have extraordinary powers to make closed-door decisions to remove local councillors at any time for any reason. According to the Alberta Municipalities, this would have “a chilling effect on councillors who might otherwise speak out against the provincial government.” They also noted that the bill does nothing to limit corporate and union donations influencing elections.
The UCP has united Alberta municipalities against the UCP’s attack on local democracy
Image source: CBC News
Muncipal leaders across the province are united against Danielle Smith's power grab to undermine local democracy.
“The attack on local democracy is highly concerning.”
-Tanya Thorn, Mayor of Okotoks
“How much overreach does this government want?”
-Delilah Miller, Reeve of Foothills County
“Pay attention to this one Alberta - it’s brutal for everyone.”
-Craig Snodgrass, Mayor of High River
“This government doesn’t appear to see municipal governments as a legitimate, fully elected, order of government.”
-Dylan Bressey, Councillor Grand Prairie
“It’s very, very scary when a provincial body is coming in with the ability to overrule municipal bylaws.”
-Barry Crane, Mayor of Diamond Valley
“This would take away the public’s right to exercise their own decisions over council and mayor.”
-Ken Johnston, Mayor of Red Deer
“Overruling municipal bylaw authority calls into question the integrity of a municipal council.”
-Rhonda Hunter, Mayor of Didsbury
“The ability to overrule a council on a bylaw, that’s concerning.”
-Craig Copeland, Mayor of Cold Lake
“They need to quit meddling in our business.”
Maureen Miller, Mayor of St. Paul
“Across the board, no one wanted to see Bill 20.”
-Ben Fadeyiw, Councillor Bonnyville
“Bill 20 is an attempt by the provincial government to grab more power and wield more control over how people choose to live in their own communities”
-Tyler Gandam, President of Alberta Municipalities
“This is not only an affront to municipalities, but also an affront to democracy in Alberta.”
-Paul McLauchlin, President of Rural Municipalities of Alberta
“Are we now in a world where elections can be bought by big money, and elections can be overturned by a cabinet that doesn't like the results?"
-Jyoti Gondek, Mayor of Calgary
“I'm actually surprised that a government … that takes pride in people staying in their lane, is coming in with such an authoritarian approach”
-Amarjeet Sohi, Mayor of Edmonton
🚀 TAKE ACTION
1) 📋 Sign the petition
Premier Smith has promised band-aid amendments to Bill 20 in hopes of sneaking through her authoritarian agenda. But there’s no amount of acceptable new provincial overreach. The UCP must scrap Bills 18 and 20 entirely.
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