As the fall referendum in Alberta draws near, municipalities in the province have been instructed not to engage in campaigning on the referendum issues. Elected officials have been sharing their views on Alberta independence and encouraging residents to vote in the upcoming referendum in October. The Edmonton city council recently supported Mayor Andrew Knack’s motion affirming Edmonton and Alberta’s significance within Canada and advocating for the province to remain part of a united Canada.
Mayor Knack emphasized the importance of city council representing the interests of Edmonton, expressing concerns about the potential economic consequences if Edmonton were to separate from Canada. While politicians like mayors and councillors are allowed to take a stance on the referendum question, Alberta legislation prohibits municipalities from fundraising or advertising in support of any side.
According to Brendan Boyd, a political science professor at MacEwan University, elected officials must be cautious about their statements to avoid being seen as engaging in advertising or campaigning activities. Calgary Mayor Jeremy Farkas has strongly opposed separation, emphasizing the detrimental impact it could have on the city’s economy. Farkas has called for a change in legislation to allow municipalities to officially campaign.
On the other hand, Calgary Coun. Landon Johnson believes that cities and towns should ensure a smooth referendum process without taking sides. He highlighted the importance of maintaining neutrality, especially for bureaucratic entities. Elections Alberta recently released a bulletin clarifying the rules for municipalities under the Elections Finances and Contributions Act to address confusion and misinformation surrounding referendum advertising regulations.
Boyd noted that the rules governing the referendum are similar to those for general elections, where municipalities are prohibited from campaigning for specific parties. The challenge lies in distinguishing between general discussions about Canada and Alberta and actual advertising efforts related to the referendum question.