Edmonton officially calling on province to scrap contentious bills aimed at municipalities
The City of Edmonton is asking the Government of Alberta to scrap two bills with big implications for municipalities.
Bill 20 includes dozens of amendments that would reshape local elections and give the province more power over municipal affairs and council members, while Bill 18 prevents provincial entities – like municipalities or post-secondaries – from accessing funding without provincial permission.
- Alberta tables gatekeeper bill on federal funding, cites housing money as last straw
- UCP able to remove councillors and axe city bylaws in new sweeping bill aimed at municipal politics
On Wednesday, city council unanimously approved a motion to ask the province to rescind both, citing a lack of stakeholder engagement.
"Consult with the municipalities, get our input, consult with other stakeholders at the universities and then bring back something that may work for everyone," Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said. "I think it could be a win-win situation for everyone if there's a little pause on it and a thoughtful approach to engagement."
Coun. Andrew Knack said the city is on board with some of the amendments in Bill 20, but many changes – like allowing corporate and union donations and adding political parties as amendments – would make elections less fair and transparent.
"Things like mandatory councillor training, that makes perfect sense," Knack said. "For all the other things, where there's clearly widespread opposition from Albertans, let's go and work through those in more detail."
On Thursday, after backlash over Bill 20, Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver promised stakeholders consultations. However, Premier Danielle Smith said Friday morning amendments would be introduced as early as this week.
- Alberta UCP facing growing pushback following introduction of municipalities bill
- 'So damn undemocratic': Edmonton mayor reacts to legislation granting province power to fire councillors or veto local bylaws
- Canadian university teachers fear Alberta gatekeeping bill threatens academic freedom
McIver told media Wednesday he "had a couple conversations" with municipal leaders and representatives, but Alberta Municipalities, an advocacy group representing the communities where 85 per cent of Albertans live, told Edmonton City Council there had yet to be any meaningful consultation.
"I had one conversation with Mr. McIver on Thursday morning over the phone, he updated me on two amendments they were looking at changing," Alberta Municipalities president Tyler Gandam told council. "I have not received that to date."
- Alberta Municipalities hasn't been asked for input on bill giving cabinet new powers
- Academics, rural municipalities raise concerns about Alberta's Bill 18
City councillors and the mayor have also expressed concerns over the additional costs that Bill 20 and Bill 18 would download onto municipalities.
Gandam said banning of electronic vote tabulators and requiring virtual public engagement options would also cost communities more, with the province giving no indication it would provide funding to support those changes.
"There'll be the potential for a lot of financial impact, especially for some of the smaller municipalities," Gandam said.
Knack, who brought forward Wednesday's motion, said the bills will have big impacts on Alberta's communities and should be given far more time for consideration and consultation.
"Trying to Frankenstein this bill into 'let's keep piecemealing it and let's keep making amendments' is not going to result in thoughtful legislation," Knack said. "Don't rush this because you have a three week deadline for the spring sitting.
"We're all ready to work together."
In a Wednesday press release, Alberta Municipalities joined Edmonton's request that Bill 20 be rescinded, calling the legislation an "attempted power grab."
"The provincial government’s silence and clear reluctance to meaningfully consult with us speaks volumes," the statement read. "Here’s what it says to us – the Government of Alberta is still not listening to Albertans.
"Instead, it is blindly ploughing ahead regardless of what many Albertans think, want, and need, and without thought to the greater impacts of the bill."
McIver has confirmed that the province is "contemplating amendments," but would not say when those would be ready or shared with municipalities.
He said he expects the bills to pass by the end of the month.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Chelan Skulski
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.