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4h ago

Smith Declines to Alter Alberta Recall Law as Union-Backed Petitions Target UCP MLAs

Labour-led drives follow the government's use of the notwithstanding clause to end a teachers' strike.

Exterior of the Alberta Legislature building on October 22, 2025.
Alberta Federation of Labour president, Gil McGowan, speaks on behalf of the Alberta labour movement in response to Bill 2, the Back to School Act, and the invocation of the notwithstanding clause by the provincial government on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 in Edmonton. McGowan repeated through his speech that the goal of the Common Front, a coalition of Alberta unions, is to "topple the government."
Melissa Craig, organizer of a petition to recall Calgary-North West MLA Rajan Sawhney, in Calgary on November 2, 2025.
UCP MLAs Angela Pitt and Rajan Sawhney at the Violet King Henry Plaza at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton on June 13, 2022, when Sawhney launched her run for the UCP leadership. Both MLAs are now being targeted by recall campaigns.

Overview

  • Premier Danielle Smith said the government will not change the recall legislation "at the moment" and argued current petition efforts aim to overthrow her government.
  • AFL president Gil McGowan urged union members to organize recalls to "topple this government" in response to the back-to-work move for teachers.
  • Two recall petitions are circulating with seven more in application, according to recent reporting.
  • Alberta’s law requires in-person signatures from riding residents equal to 60% of the last election’s votes within 90 days, followed by a yes-or-no recall vote and a by-election only if removal passes.
  • Reporting notes the high thresholds make successful recalls unlikely in most ridings, and some unnamed UCP caucus members are said to be pressing for tougher rules.