As the upcoming fall referendum in Alberta draws near, municipalities in the province have been advised against engaging in campaign activities regarding the issues at hand. Elected officials have been vocal about their viewpoints on Alberta’s independence, encouraging residents to make informed decisions during the October referendum. Edmonton city council recently supported Mayor Andrew Knack’s motion reaffirming that Edmonton and Alberta are integral parts of Canada and advocating for Alberta to remain a province within a united Canada.
Mayor Knack emphasized the city council’s role in representing Edmonton and expressed concerns about the potential economic repercussions of Alberta separating from Canada. While municipal leaders are permitted to express their positions, Alberta legislation prohibits municipalities from fundraising or advertising in support of a particular stance. According to Brendan Boyd, a political science professor at MacEwan University, elected officials must tread carefully to avoid crossing the line into campaigning or advertising.
Calgary Mayor Jeremy Farkas has taken a firm stand against separation, emphasizing the need to resist and push back against such a move due to the economic impact it could have on Calgary. Farkas has called for changes to the legislation to allow municipalities to engage in formal campaigning. However, Calgary Coun. Landon Johnson believes that cities and towns should maintain neutrality and ensure a smooth referendum process without taking sides.
Elections Alberta recently issued a bulletin to clarify the rules for municipalities under the Elections Finances and Contributions Act. The bulletin aims to address confusion and misinformation regarding referendum advertising regulations, emphasizing the fair and impartial administration of electoral legislation. Boyd noted that the rules governing the referendum are similar to those for general elections, where municipalities are restricted from campaigning for specific parties, requiring clarity on distinguishing between general discussions and actual advertising related to the referendum question.