Three new Alberta recall petitions target MLAs as total climbs to 26

Elections Alberta has approved three additional recall petitions against sitting members of the provincial legislature, bringing the total number of active recall efforts across the province to 26.

The latest petitions target two United Conservative Party backbenchers, Ron Wiebe and Justin Wright, along with Opposition New Democrat MLA Peggy Wright, who serves as the party’s labour critic. With the new approvals, 24 of the 26 active petitions are aimed at UCP politicians, representing more than half of Premier Danielle Smith’s 47-member caucus.

Petitioners seeking the removal of Wiebe and Justin Wright say their efforts are driven in part by the MLAs’ support for government legislation earlier this year that ordered striking teachers back to work. The law sparked protests from educators and labour groups, including some in Alberta’s larger urban centres.

The petition filed against Peggy Wright alleges the NDP MLA has been difficult to access for constituents and criticizes her opposition to the government’s decision to restrict certain books from school libraries. The recall process applies equally to government and opposition members under Alberta’s legislation.

Under provincial rules, petitioners have 90 days to collect signatures from eligible voters equal to at least 60 per cent of the ballots cast in the MLA’s riding during the 2023 provincial election. If the threshold is met, a constituency-wide vote is triggered to decide whether the MLA should keep their seat. A successful recall would result in a byelection.

The surge in recall petitions follows Alberta’s 2021 changes to recall legislation, which lowered barriers for initiating the process. While none of the recall attempts to date have resulted in a successful removal, the growing number reflects heightened political tensions around education policy, labour relations, and public accountability.