Edmonton mayor, councillor worried about Bill 20 spending rules [Video]

Members of Edmonton city council are raising more concerns over provincial legislation that will allow local political parties to spend “enormous” amounts of money on candidates.

Part of Alberta’s controversial Bill 20 allows for political parties in Edmonton and Calgary elections.

The bill also introduces rules on campaign spending for independent candidates and parties.

Details of the bill were revealed last week, it comes into effect in less than two weeks.

• ‘This is a huge mistake’: Bill 20 rules on local political parties revealed

“The most concerning aspect of Bill 20 is the introduction of political parties and how money will influence elections,” said Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.

“The introduction of huge amounts of money that can be funnelled into candidate campaigns through political parties, through third parties, is unheard of in Edmonton’s context.”

The billwill allow mayoral candidates to spend up to $1 per person in the municipality or $20,000, …