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Edmonton city council is asking the province to scrap Bill 18 and Bill 20 and engage more closely with the municipalities and public agencies the controversial proposed laws impact.
Council unanimously on Wednesday voted for Mayor Amarjeet Sohi to write a letter to the provincial government advocating the laws be rescinded “in order to complete meaningful engagement” with Edmontonians, municipalities, post-secondary institutions, city administrations and election returning officers, and with the organizations Alberta Municipalities and Rural Municipalities of Alberta. Coun. Karen Principe was absent.
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Bill 20, Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, grants the government sweeping powers to fire city councillors and overturn any municipal bylaw. Bill 18, the Provincial Priorities Act, would require provincial approval for any new or amended funding agreements between the federal government and municipalities or other provincial entities such as universities and colleges.
Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack said the letter is about reflecting what this council and other Alberta municipalities have called for — more engagement. Scrapping these laws, Knack said, would give the province time to consult over the summer and come back in the fall with changes.
“This is not about our own personal opinions on the legislation, this is about doing thorough and thoughtful engagement on two very critical pieces of legislation,” he said while introducing his motion.
Bill 20 has draw public condemnation from both Alberta Municipalities and Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver is expected to table amendments in the coming days.
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‘Undermining local democracy’
Local city councillors have not been shy about their opposition to these bills.
Knack previously told Postmedia Bill 20 grants the province troubling and “frightening” new powers, saying on social media it is “undermining local democracy.”
On Wednesday, Ward Karhiio Coun. Keren Tang said, “I feel that local democracy is facing an unprecedented threat.”
Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette said Bill 18 and Bill 20 “undermine our institutions and throw uncertainty and greater costs onto municipal budgets.”
“There is still time for sober second thought and I hope the province sees the sense of this,” Paquette said during Wednesday’s meeting.
Speaking to reporters, the mayor said council is urging the province to put a stop to both bills.
“Consult with municipalities, get our input, consult with other stakeholders such as universities, and then bring back something that may work for everyone,” he said Wednesday. “I think we can get to a consensus point on these issues if we sit at the table and try to figure out how we can move forward together.”
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‘They’re wrong’: McIver
McIver, asked Wednesday about councillors’ remarks about Bill 20 harming local democracy, said, “No, they’re wrong.”
When asked about previous comments that Bill 20 doesn’t add transparency or fairness, McIver redirected: “I don’t know why they would want to run away from support for affordable housing, I don’t know why they want to run away from more transparent municipal financing rules. I don’t know why they would want to run away from having special ballots available for all Albertans — many of them would be disabled and seniors who want that.”
Asked about Knack’s previous comments that Bill 20 doesn’t create more transparency or fairness, McIver responded, “He’s wrong. I’m saying, he’s wrong.”
– With files from Matthew Black
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