AUMA President Barry Morishita, during a visit to Grande Prairie in August, 2019 (Photo: Shaun Penner)

By Shaun Penner

Bill 29

AUMA President displeased with provincial changes to local elections act

Jul 27, 2020 | 5:30 AM

Alberta’s representative body for its urban municipalities is disappointed the province has gone ahead with certain changes to legislation that governs municipal elections, going as far as to say the Alberta government has “rejected the principles of local democracy”.

The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) released a statement in regards to Bill 29: The Local Authorities Election Amendment Act, which will see changes to several aspects of the local election process. This includes now allowing donors to contribute a maximum of $5,000 per candidate, per election and will no longer allow municipalities to have bylaws requiring pre-election donor lists to be published.

With that, the AUMA had three amendments they wanted to see before the bill was to be passed. Those included:

1. Setting contribution limits that are “achievable and realistic for grassroots supporters”
2. Allow municipalities to set bylaws for candidates to disclose their full donor list and the amounts contributed before the municipal election date in 2021.
3. Make third-party advertising accountable by outlining clear declarations of contributors by limiting contribution amounts.

However, those suggestions from the AUMA went unimplemented, and Bill 29 passed third reading last week as it stood.

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Now, the AUMA says “big money” may get a larger say in local elections, since there is now no cap on exactly how much a donor can contribute. Prior legislation allowed for a donor to donate up to $4,000 per election, while the amended legislation allows a donor an uncapped amount of spending, so long as it is no more than $5,000 per candidate.

AUMA President, and Mayor of the City of Brooks, Barry Morishita feels that could allow those with deeper pockets to have too much influence on the outcome of an election.

“While we know most people follow rules and are very considered in their approach to running for elected office, we know that’s not the case with everybody,” said Morishita. “We know that from time to time people break rules to their own advantage, and that shouldn’t be because you’re wealthy or have access to that money.

“So, we think that a reasonable limit should have prevailed.”

In regards to their second request, Morishita says not having to disclose who is bank rolling a specific campaign until after the election can muddy the waters for voters. He strongly feels the process of getting elected is equal to that of actually getting elected, and voters should be able to know who is backing each candidate prior to them casting their ballot.

“If I’m running for mayor, and I donate money to certain people that are running for council because my intention is to help them get elected, would people want to know that?” said Morishita.

“I should be, first of all, held accountable to the decisions I make as a donor. And more so it speaks to my ability to make decisions, how I like to run things. Those are important considerations, and actions speak louder than words.”

That echoes the stance of Morishita’s fellow AUMA board member in Grande Prairie Mayor Bill Given, who voiced his displeasure with the amendments to EverythingGP when the bill was tabled back in June.

“I think that that’s a really disappointing change that people should be very, very concerned about. Each one of us that runs for city council, county council, village council, school boards, has a responsibility to let people know who’s backing our campaign,” said Given.

READ MORE: Grande Prairie Mayor unhappy with proposed changes to local elections introduced in Bill 29

The Alberta government, namely Minister of Municipal Affairs Kaycee Madu, has described the bill as a way of providing a fair fight for challengers in municipal elections, as the province says incumbents have an unfair advantage.

One of those changes made to address that issue was barring candidates from carrying over campaign finances from previous elections. It also stipulates that going forward, any surplus in campaign donations are to be given to a charity of the candidate’s choice.

Morishita says changes like these are welcomed by the AUMA.

“We think that helps level the playing field,” said Morishita. “We also think the idea that there can be some fundraising and some expenditures in non-election years for candidates potentially running, that’s good. Because an incumbent has the advantage of being, obviously, in the news a little bit, a little more exposure.

“So, we thought those things were reasonable, and they were limited in a reasonable way.”

However, the AUMA says the lack of consideration from the province when it came to their concerns is troubling, and the organization is hoping the government will better collaborate with them on issues like this.

“We consider the Ministry of Municipal Affairs’ role to include advancing and championing municipalities’ best interests.

“A real commitment by Municipal Affairs to collaborate with AUMA and its membership is the only way forward to rebuild the prosperity of our communities and our province.”