On October 23rd, Alberta MLAs will return to the Legislature for the fall sitting of the first session of the 28th Legislature. As that first session begins, an overhaul of the Elections Act will be introduced.
A number of pieces of legislation are expected to be introduced when MLAs commence their third sitting of 2012.
Global News has learned big changes are in the works for the Elections Act and Election Finances Act. The changes have been approved by the PC caucus, and will soon be introduced into the legislature.
"We were looking to the chief electoral officer for recommendations - on the elections act going forward - as the officer does do every four years - and I am preparing to enter in some significant changes to our elections laws in the province," said Minister of Justice Jonathan Denis.
"We did do recommendations to the minister which we sent to him in August, commenting on various issues and concerns which came up during the election - that would improve openness and transparency in the process," said Drew Westwater from Elections Alberta.
The Elections Act assigns the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer the responsibility of conducting provincial elections, enumerations, by-elections and plebiscites; maintaining an up-to-date permanent list of electors; investigating complaints of possible breaches of the Act.
The Minister would not comment on specifics, but Global News has learned the changes will include a new way to collect an up to date list of eligible voters, more flexibility for student voters, a change on donation limits, and changes to campaigning time frame rules. Most significantly, there will be changes to the law where it concerns improper donations to political parties and constituency associations. Back in March, the Chief Electoral Officer began investigating allegations of donations from prohibited contributors - including post-secondary institutions, municipalities and school boards. Of the 71 completed files, 37 have advanced to the administrative penalty stage. By law, the names of those penalized can't be made public. That will now change with the new amendments, which, a source tells Global News, will retrospectively "completely open up" the improper donation issue and name the culprits, once the investigation is completed.
The Alberta Elections Act was last modified November 3, 2011.
Other issues that could be on the table when fall session begins include the Education Act, Government and Opposition expenses, whistle blower legislation, and rules surrounding home warranties.
The first sitting of the 28th Legislature will begin at 1:30 pm October 23rd.
You can view the current Alberta Elections Act below:
Alberta Elections Act
With files from Vassy Kapelos, Emily Mertz
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.