Overview
- Elections Alberta has requested additional resources after a spike in recall and citizen‑initiative petitions created by recent rule changes.
- The UCP lowered thresholds for recall and citizen initiatives and lifted bans on union and corporate donations, while third parties can spend up to $607,000 on referendum advertising.
- Premier Danielle Smith questioned the sources of crowdfunding for campaigns, even as Alberta law restricts recall donations and signatures to people in the affected riding and bars U.S. individuals from donating to registered or third parties.
- The Alberta Federation of Labour is preparing referendum questions and offering support for recall efforts, increasing the volume of activity the regulator must oversee.
- Scrutiny of potential foreign influence has intensified after reports that Republican Party of Alberta leader Cameron Davies visited the U.S., including Mar‑a‑Lago, prompting calls for robust enforcement of donation and spending rules.