As the upcoming fall referendum in Alberta draws near, municipalities in the province have been instructed not to engage in campaigning on the referendum issues. Despite this directive, elected officials have been vocal about their views on Alberta’s independence and have been encouraging residents to vote in a particular direction in the October referendum.
Recently, the Edmonton city council supported Mayor Andrew Knack’s motion affirming 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 importance of the city council representing the interests of Edmonton and expressed concerns about the distraction posed by the referendum question.
While mayors and councillors are permitted to express their opinions, Alberta legislation prohibits municipalities from raising funds or advertising to support a specific side in the referendum. According to the Elections Finances and Contributions Act, municipalities are categorized as prohibited corporations and are not allowed to function as third-party advertisers exceeding a spending limit of $1,000.
Political science professor Brendan Boyd highlighted that elected officials can voice their opinions but must be cautious about actions that could be construed as advertising or campaigning. This caution extends to activities such as attending and speaking at events. Calgary Mayor Jeremy Farkas firmly opposes separation and advocates for resistance against it due to the potential economic repercussions on Calgary.
Farkas has called for changes to legislation to allow municipalities to engage in formal campaigning. However, Calgary Coun. Landon Johnson emphasized the importance of neutrality for cities and towns in the referendum process, signaling that their role should focus on ensuring a smooth process rather than taking sides.
Elections Alberta issued a bulletin to clarify the regulations for municipalities under the Elections Finances and Contributions Act in response to widespread confusion and misinformation. Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure emphasized the bulletin’s role in promoting understanding and compliance with electoral legislation to ensure fair and impartial administration.
Despite the regulations, Boyd noted that the same rules governing general elections apply to the referendum, requiring clarity on distinguishing between general discussions about Canada or Alberta and actual advertising. The rules dictate that municipalities cannot campaign in support of specific parties during elections or referendums.
