Questions raised surrounding Albertas Bill 20: Unprecedented intervention [Video]

Proposed legislation would give provincial cabinet more powers over cities and towns across Alberta. Following the announcement of Bill 20 on Thursday, political scientists and law experts are weighing in on how the province can exercise control and whether it should.

The government of Alberta has tabled legislation that will give it sweeping powers over municipalities across the province, including the right to fire councillors and overturn bylaws.

Bill 20, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, includes two pieces of legislation: the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) and the Municipal Government Act (MGA).

If passed, the amendments to the Municipal Government Act will allow cabinet to remove a councillor “if in the public interest” or to order a referendum to decide whether a councillor should be removed, which will be reviewed in a case-by-case basis.

The amendment will also enable cabinet to require a municipal government to amend or repeal a bylaw, as well as giving cabinet the ability to postpone elections.