Bill 20

There’s so much to unpack with Bill 20.

This legislation introduced by the Alberta Government significantly changes the rules for municipal elections and governance.

At the recent City Council meeting, the City Clerk gave Council an update on operational impacts that this legislation will have on the upcoming 2025 municipal election, future elections, as well as how municipal governments operate. As someone who believes wholeheartedly in local democracy, I’m deeply concerned with the province’s intended impact this bill will have, and even more so after hearing what little information we have about Bill 20 from the City Clerks.

Edmontonians' experiences of campaigns and voting are also set to change. With this new legislation, Edmontonians won’t get a reprieve from campaigning. The campaign period is extending from being approximately 10 months, to the entire 4 years of a Council term.

Big money is also being reintroduced to campaigning.

Previously, corporate and union donations were removed with the intent of making campaigns a more fair and equal playing field. Since the campaign period is extended over 4 years, a candidate can fundraise (without overall funding limits) and spend campaign dollars essentially anytime. Not only does this create further barriers and inequities (eg; those that hold power can leverage this power to maintain it), it also creates the conditions for potential interference in democratic decision making.

Sitting Councillors (or their parties) will be able to accept fundraising dollars while making decisions in their capacity as Councillors. There are also more ways Councillors can opt out of voting on potential key decisions as new measures are introduced. I have to ask, how is this better serving Edmontonians?

Previously, voting locations were off limits to campaign activity - meaning people can’t distribute campaign material or actively campaign on or near these sites. Campaigning at voting locations will now be allowable. Why is this important? In a free and open democracy, people should be able to vote without undue influence or intimidation. Anything that persuades or dissuades specific groups from going to the polls is cause for concern. 

Let’s also talk about the financial costs.

While we don’t know the total cost that these changes will have, the City Clerk was clear in their assessment that, especially related to elections, “There will be a significant cost.” We know that 4 year campaigning periods, the requirement to create municipal voter registries, and additional election staff to count votes comes with a financial cost (as electronic tabulators that have been used in elections for decades are no longer permitted). Even with added costs, election results will also be delayed due to longer lines due to the requirement for a permanent voter registry and votes being hand counted and results will be delayed compared to past elections.

What does this mean? In short, more costs for less efficient and effective elections. 

Bill 20 gives the provincial government authority to remove a Councillor if they deem it to be in “public interest” which can create a significant chilling effect that limits elected representatives from bringing forward the voices of the people they represent for fear of backlash.

Currently, no details have been released on what or if the conditions will be defined for what would warrant this use of power.  

Lastly, I want to talk about municipal political parties and candidate slates. The entire way municipal governments are structured is going to need to change with parties. Decisions are supposed to be made in public through open debate and should remain this way. If there are parties, the question becomes how are those decisions being made and by whom (i.e, a board of governors of the party who are not elected)? There will certainly be an expectation for Council members who are part of a party to vote together. What about public hearings, which are meant to be quasi-judicial in that Councillors are legally required to go in open minded without a predetermined decision?

For those who say that party politics is already a thing at the local level, I want to reiterate that there is a big difference between a candidate indicating they have a left or right leaning platform and values, versus being tied to party commitments and having to vote as such. Currently, each Councillor makes independent decisions based on the information in front of them, what they hear from their residents, and what they committed to when being elected. 

What I’ve highlighted here are only a few of the concerning elements of Bill 20 and the significant changes it will have on local democracy. Many of the actual details of this legislation and the answers to some concerns won’t come until after it passes, if at all. I have so many questions and concerns as I know many do - including Albertans from all over the province.

Check out some of the further information provided by Alberta Municipalities and why we need to keep local elections local.