Alberta Municipalities President wants political parties out of municipal councils

Qiam Noori,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In response to a recent proposed change to the Municipal Government Act to include political parties in the local elections, the president of Alberta Municipalities Tyler Gandam has criticized the resolution.

Gandam – who’s also the mayor of Wetaskiwin – in an April 9 press conference shared a series of recommendations on how to improve transparency in local politics without introducing parties in local elections.

Alberta Municipalities’ four recommendations are as follows:

• Limit donation amounts to $2,500 per candidate. In recent reviews of Alberta’s election rules, Albertans signaled they want to see less money involved in local elections, not more. A reduction in contribution limits would go a long way towards creating a more level playing field and ensuring large donors do not drown out the voices of grassroots Albertans.

• Improve financial disclosure rules. Candidates should be required to file pre-election disclosure statements. Disclosure requirements for third-party advertisers should be strengthened. Voters should know who is donating money to candidates or indirectly supporting them through advertising. We recommend that the limits on campaign contributions to candidates should also be applied to third parties so that Political Action Committees – PACs – don’t have an advantage over individual candidates.

• Change the nomination form to ensure the role of councillors is clearly understood. These changes would require candidates to confirm they understand the role of councillors as set out in the Municipal Government Act (MGA).

• Make educational opportunities and resources available to prospective candidates. Legislation alone cannot fix divisiveness and dysfunction in municipal councils. That is why we are committed to working with Alberta Municipal Affairs and other associations to provide education and resources that support productive councils.

The municipalities said that these points were shared with Premier Danielle Smith and Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver by letter several weeks ago, as well as with ABmunis members via email.

Wetaskiwin Councillors have unanimously voted in favor of the idea to exclude political parties from local elections during their regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 8.

At the meeting, Mayor Gandam said “I move that city council supports Alberta municipalities in speaking out against the changes proposed to the municipal government act in regards to including political parties at the municipal level.”

Gandam further stated that, through a resolution of its members, Alberta Municipalities seeks to not have political parties included on local ballots.

“I have been working and looking for support from other municipalities from across the province to do it individually as well,” he said.

As per a release, Gandam hopes that any legislative changes the provincial government is considering will reflect the wishes of Albertans and be discussed with Alberta Municipalities and other organizations.

ABmunis hopes to collaborate with the Government of Alberta on this and many other issues that affect municipal governments across the province.

Qiam Noori,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Ponoka News