Alberta Premier Faces Recall Petition Amid Criticism

Key Takeaways:

• The Alberta Federation of Labour president, Gil McGowan, denies claims that his organization is behind the recall petitions against the United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus members.
• McGowan says his involvement has been minimal and limited to spreading the word about the recall process.
• The recall petitions are a result of the UCP’s use of the notwithstanding clause to end a province-wide teacher’s strike and other local issues.
• The UCP is considering changes to the Recall Act, but McGowan believes this is an attempt to protect themselves rather than protect democracy.
• The recall process requires petitioners to collect signatures equal to 60% of the total number of votes cast in the constituency in the 2023 election.

Introduction to the Recall Petitions
The president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, Gil McGowan, has denied claims made by Premier Danielle Smith that his organization is behind the recall petitions against the United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus members. McGowan stated that his involvement in the recall process has been minimal and limited to spreading the word about where people can sign and how they can get involved. He emphasized that the labour federation follows the letter of the law, which requires recall campaigns to be organized independently.

The Role of the Labour Federation
McGowan explained that union members in the province do support recall campaigns, but they also follow the law, which prohibits organizations like his from engaging in the recall process. He added that claims made by the premier and some of her ministers that the federation has been organizing, funding, and even busing people into ridings to aid the petitions are false. McGowan believes that the premier’s accusations are an attempt to paint him and the labour movement as the reason changes need to be made to the Recall Act.

The Recall Process and the UCP’s Response
The recall process in Alberta requires petitioners to collect signatures equal to 60% of the total number of votes cast in the constituency in the 2023 election. If successful, a vote is held on whether the representative gets to keep their seat. If the member loses, a byelection is held. The UCP is facing 14 active recall petitions, with many petitioners citing the use of the notwithstanding clause as a driving factor. Others have said it was their representative’s lack of communication and advocacy for local issues that sparked their campaigns. The UCP has responded by rejecting the claims that they are not listening to their constituents and listing the local projects and initiatives accomplished on their watch.

The UCP’s Plans to Change the Recall Act
Premier Smith has recently announced that the UCP is consulting on making changes to the Recall Act. She brought it up with grassroots party members at the UCP’s annual convention, where she undertook a straw poll to gauge support for tightened recall rules or leaving the process alone. However, a spokesperson for the Justice Minister later clarified that the changes will not include any amendments to the recall process. McGowan believes that the UCP’s attempt to change the Recall Act is an attempt to protect themselves rather than protect democracy.

Conclusion and Implications
The recall petitions against the UCP caucus members have sparked a debate about the use of the notwithstanding clause and the representation of constituents. While the UCP has denied claims that they are not listening to their constituents, the recall petitions suggest that many Albertans are unhappy with their representation. The outcome of the recall process will have significant implications for the UCP and the future of the province. As McGowan noted, "This is not about protecting Albertans. This is not about protecting democracy. This is simply about the UCP protecting themselves and everyone should see it for what it really is."