Bill 20: Alberta government unveils new rules for municipal political parties, donations [Video]

Alberta has announced new regulations that will once again allow corporate and union donations in local elections.

The move by the United Conservative Party government reverses a ban brought in under the NDP.

Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver said Friday the changes will boost transparency, accountability and trust in local elections.

“(They) are good for municipalities, good for voters, good for Albertans,” he said.

McIver has long contended that corporate and union donations are already influencing municipal elections and the new rules enforce needed boundaries.

They come under a bill that makes sweeping changes, including allowing Premier Danielle Smith’s cabinet to initiate ousting locally elected officials by ordering a recall vote and to overturn bylaws that go against provincial policy.

The bill passed debate in the legislature earlier this year and largely comes into effect at the end of this month, just over a year before the next municipal elections.

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