While most leaders in many Alberta municipalities have spent the last several weeks expressing concerns over proposed provincial legislation that is expected to be approved next week, Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov isn’t reacting.
The Legislation – Bill 20 – was introduced more than a month ago by Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver and has been called “an over-reach” by many municipal officials, including members of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta and Alberta Municipalities that represent more than 340 urban and rural municipalities across the province. In recent weeks Alberta Municipalities has released a 130-page analysis of the proposed legislation. Bill 20, says Alberta Municipalities President and current elected Mayor of Wetaskiwin Tyler Gandam, will give Alberta’s government powers to overturn municipal bylaws and the ability to remove municipal politicians from council. The legislation also calls for a pilot project in Calgary and Edmonton’s next elections to test whether political party affiliations should be included on the ballots. Another part of the legislation calls for the removal of automated counting machines in municipal elections.
The Alberta Municipalities breakdown of the proposed bill and their general disapproval of the legislation was presented to municipal councils two weeks ago.
Rallies and concerns
Many municipal councils continue to oppose the proposed legislation, which could be adopted as law by the end of this week.
In recent days, “Enough is Enough” rallies have also been held in communities across the province, with residents raising concerns over the provincial government’s continued influence on municipal operations. Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov, however, remains on the fence. Parts of the bill might be good for municipalities, he says, admitting that he is still not familiar enough with all aspects of the proposed legislation to commit to his own response. He says that so far, groups like the RMA have been advocating well.
“To date, I’ve been neutral on this, and I have no comment one way or the other, he said last week. “As of now, I’m going to maintain a position of neutral. I can’t make an educated decision one way or the other unless council decides otherwise.”
The mayor said council still has more “homework” to do on the issue.
But some of his council say they are studied up on the legislation that was first announced at the end of April.
“Oh, I’m a bit more than just ‘neutral’ on it,” said Lac La Biche County councillor Jason Stedman, explaining his thoughts on Bill 20. “I think there are some big things that need to be fixed in it.”
Stedman said the provincial government is treating municipalities the same way they feel the federal government treats the provinces.
“I can only imagine what would be said from the Alberta Legislature if the current federal government was implementing something that said they could go and supersede a decision made at the provincial level. I think there would be strong words coming out of the provincial Legislature — and I’m saying the same thing.”
Deputy Mayor John Mondal said the proposed bill has a lot of pieces, so he understands there are a lot of questions and concerns. He hopes that “when the dust settles” the provincial government realizes that municipal councils are responsible to their local electors. He said by taking away responsibilities or adding another layer only takes local government further away from the people closest to the decisions being made.
“We are elected by the people in our immediate communities to make decisions for our communities — and I feel that should be respected.”
While he understands that provincial legislation — the Municipal Government Act — already sets out guidelines for municipal leadership, Mondal said the emphasis of that provincial authority not only concerns current councils, but future ones.
“We want to encourage people to run for local office and bring more young people to get involved in their communities, but this is discouraging that,” he said.
Mondal hopes the Alberta Government will hold off on voting in Bill 20 until the upcoming Fall Convention of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Alberta Municipalities.
“It all just feels very rushed,” he said, explaining that the recent rallies, the discussions happening in the council rooms of Alberta communities and at the provincial level need to continue. “The government has to listen. I think the government that listens to the people is the best government.”
In recent days, some amendments have been made to the initial legislation, but government of Alberta members are continuing to push forward with the bill.
Fort McMurray – Lac La Biche MLA Brian Jean supports the legislation. He tells Lakeland This Week that all legislation is put into place for the best interests of the province and the people. When asked about the perceived over-reach, he said Bill 20 is only emphasizing what is already a provincial government responsibility.
“This is not a power grab,” he said. “These are powers that already belong to the province.”
