As the fall referendum in Alberta draws near, municipalities in the province are prohibited from campaigning on the issues at hand. Elected officials have been sharing their views on Alberta independence and encouraging residents to vote in a specific manner in the upcoming referendum in October.
Recently, Edmonton city council supported Mayor Andrew Knack’s motion affirming Edmonton and Alberta’s integral role within Canada and advocating for Alberta to remain a province within a united Canada. Mayor Knack emphasized that the council’s duty is to represent the city and expressed concerns that the referendum question could be a distraction.
While mayors and councillors are allowed to express their positions, Alberta legislation dictates that municipalities cannot raise funds or advertise to support a particular side. According to Brendan Boyd, a political science professor at MacEwan University, politicians must exercise caution to avoid actions that could be deemed as advertising or campaigning, such as attending and speaking at events.
Calgary Mayor Jeremy Farkas has taken a firm stance against separation, emphasizing the economic repercussions it could have on Calgary. Farkas has called for changes in legislation to permit municipalities to engage in formal campaigning. However, Calgary Coun. Landon Johnson believes that cities and towns should ensure a smooth referendum process without taking sides to maintain neutrality.
Elections Alberta recently issued a bulletin to clarify the rules for municipalities under the Elections Finances and Contributions Act. Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure highlighted the importance of understanding and complying with the legislation to ensure fair and impartial administration of electoral processes.
Despite the regulations, confusion persists as the same rules governing general elections apply to the upcoming 10-question referendum. Boyd emphasized the need for clarity distinguishing between general discussions about Canada and Alberta and actual advertising efforts related to the referendum.