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COVID-19 Updates: Taking steps to return to normal.
The Citizen Initiative Act (Bill 51) allows Albertans to bring important matters to government for consideration.
Status: The Citizen Initiative Act came into force on April 7, 2022.
Ministry responsible: Justice and Solicitor General
The Citizen Initiative Act (formerly Bill 51) gives Albertans a more direct role in the democratic system by enabling eligible voters to propose legislative, policy or constitutional action on issues that affect them.
The Citizen Initiative Act also sets advertising and spending rules for submitting petitions. These rules are aligned, where possible, with the Election Finance and Contributions Disclosure Act.
The Citizen Initiative Act creates a process allowing any eligible voter to bring forward petitions to submit:
To start this process, Albertans would apply to the Chief Electoral Officer for approval to create a petition.
If approved, the petitioner would have 90 days to gather signatures in support of their initiative.
Petitioners would be responsible for all costs associated with gathering the required number of signatures, but could accept contributions toward their initiative, as long as they follow applicable financing rules.
The Citizen Initiative Act came into force on April 7, 2022.
Strengthening Alberta’s democratic system (March 16, 2021)
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