RMA’s submission focuses on the importance of maintaining accessible, fair, transparent, and locally-focused municipal elections
In February 2020, the Government of Alberta announced a limited review of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), focusing on the following areas:
- Length of campaign period
- Nomination process
- Campaign finances
- Candidate surplus
- Campaign contribution limits
- Campaign expense limits
- Third-party advertising
- Recall of municipally elected officials
In addition to providing input in each review area, RMA’s submission expressed concern with the Government of Alberta’s decision to conduct a limited-scope review of the LAEA after an extensive review took place in 2018. The 2018 review resulted in significant changes to most of the areas of focus of the current review and had not yet been tested in an actual local authority election.
RMA’s submission, available here, is based on the following principles:
- Principle 1: Inclusive and accessible – all those meeting eligibility requirements should have reasonable means to participate as candidates, as well as to vote in an election.
- Principle 2: Fair and equitable – all candidates should have comparable opportunities to participate in an election, including through campaigning and participating in the nomination process.
- Principle 3: Transparent and accountable – all candidates should be required to disclose contributions received to ensure adherence to applicable campaign finance requirements.
- Principle 4: Nonpartisan and municipally-focused – the campaigning and election process should be designed in such a way as to ensure that candidates are focused on and accountable to the interests of their municipality as opposed to a political party or broader ideology.
For enquiries, please contact:
Wyatt Skovron
Senior Policy Advisor
wyatt@RMAlberta.com
Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
tasha@RMAlberta.com