Title
Local Authorities Election Act Discussion Guide Response
Proposed Motion
Administration be directed to submit the Local Authorities Election Act Discussion Guide responses to Alberta Municipal Affairs as presented.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion.
Purpose
For the Committee to endorse the Discussion Guide responses before they are submitted to Alberta Municipal Affairs.
Summary
The province is proposing amendments to the Local Authorities Election Act (the Act) to address requested changes from citizens, candidates, municipalities and municipal associations, to improve fairness in campaign practices and to clarify and improve consistency and clarity in the legislation. This review is looking at the campaign finance provisions, voter and candidate accessibility, and a number of procedural and technical amendments to the Act.
It is anticipated that an amending bill will be introduced in the Legislative Assembly in the fall of 2016, so Alberta Municipal Affairs requires that all municipality responses be submitted to them on or before September 15, 2016.
Administration has reviewed the Discussion Paper and has prepared our response for each proposed amendment to the Act. Administration is requesting that the Committee review each response and either endorse the response as presented or revise the response as necessary.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
Administration will actively monitor these legislative amendments as the 2017 Election must comply with any legislation changes and candidates will need to understand their election obligations under the Act.
Financial Impact:
Cost: None
Source of Funding: n/a
Other
None.