Article content continued
Asked whether there’s been a breakdown in the relationship between AUMA and Madu, the minister’s press secretary said in a statement that “Bill 29 wasn’t passed to satisfy any one interest group.”
“This non-partisan legislation was brought forward to increase voter participation and create a level playing field where newcomers have a chance to challenge and defeat incumbents, ensuring the best candidates for the job are running and winning in our local elections.”
Mayor Naheed Nenshi said it’s “shocking” to see AUMA take such a strong stand.
“That is a real message to the provincial government,” he said. “I think it’s important that the premier hears that message.”
Nenshi added that some people are raising “conspiracy theories” about the election rule changes as a vehicle for the provincial government to sweep supportive candidates into office.
The mayor said he doesn’t believe that’s the province’s intent, and voters have expressed a clear preference to maintain city council as a non-partisan organization.
But he said third-party advertising is still a major concern ahead of next year’s vote.
Bill 29 makes it so that third-party advertising is regulated only during the period between May 1 of an election year and vote day.
Nenshi said without limits to contribution amounts to those groups, municipal elections in Alberta will be “by far the wildest west for political action committees and third parties.”
If that isn’t changed, “the local elections campaign finance rules will not be worth the paper they’re printed on,” according to Nenshi.
In a letter to Nenshi this month, Madu said the issue would be reviewed over the summer and fall, and he expected the government to bring in a cap for third-party donations by the beginning of 2021.
The minister’s press secretary added that “getting big money out of politics” was a platform commitment for the UCP, and they intend to keep that promise.
Twitter: @meksmith
