Albertans First continue to gather signatures in hopes of Plebiscite

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

George Clark and the Albertans First Plebiscite Warriors parked their fifth wheel in the Walmart parking lot last week, testing the waters of Strathmore’s collective opinion on Bill 6 and the Carbon Pricing Taxation, while attempting to gather signatures to invoke a plebiscite.
Clark, the founder of the Albertans First movement, said he’s travelled to over 50 towns and cities across the province gaining thousands of volunteers and signatures in the process. The petition drive aims to request a plebiscite under the Alberta Elections Act, in order to determine whether Albertans are in favour of opposition to either Bill 6 – the controversial farm safety legislation – or Carbon Pricing Taxation. A plebiscite is the direct vote of all members of an electorate on an important public question such as change in the constitution.
“They’re not supposed to impose legislation that they feel or know there’s a good chance the majority of the citizens that it’s going to be imposed on don’t like it, that’s simple democracy,” said Calgary-based Clark.
“This government is operating as if the majority in the legislature has somehow given them a mandate to do whatever they like. That’s not democracy. We’re standing up to it.”
Under the Alberta Elections Act section 128, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may by order give directions for the holding of a general plebiscite of electors when and as often as it appears to the governor that an expression of opinion about the desirability of either amending existing legislation or introducing new legislation relative to any subject-matter should be obtained from the electors.
While his efforts have already gained province-wide traction, Strathmore-Brooks MLA Derek Fildebrandt remained skeptical about the petition drive’s implications.
“I certainly understand and appreciate people’s extreme frustrations at the NDP government, but at the end of the day there’s only one way to remove the government and that is to work and vote in the next election for a party representing change,” said Strathmore-Brooks MLA Derek Fildebrandt.
“For better or for worse, you can guess which one I believe, we’re stuck with the NDP for three years. I’m working hard to build the Wildrose across Alberta to ensure that when that time comes, Albertans have a real conservative option to put their trust in for change in the province. I really don’t see any other way to constitutionally change the government.”
In the past, stations were set up in parking lots and business throughout Strathmore, which Clark said amounted to 2,500 local residents signing up to support the cause and help canvass over the course of a week in December. The petition drive continues to gather signatures from citizens across Alberta.