Bill20

Bill 20 prohibits the use of electronic tabulators in municipal elections beginning October 31 and going into effectfor 2025. Board trustee Trisha Estabrooks, said the “unforeseen and unexpected” additional costs are unfair given the current funding crisis EPS is experiencing due to higher enrollments. She feels like we’re unfairly caught up in petty politics, and we’re not putting kids first on this one and that’s through no fault of our own.

”EPS contracts the City of Edmonton to administrate elections and pays 29 per cent of total election costs associated with planning and delivering the elections for trustees. The City of Edmonton estimates Bill 20 means $4.8 million in additional costs due to the need for more workers and use separate ballots and ballot boxes for — mayor, councillors, Catholic school board trustees, and public school board trustees.

When the provincial government passed Bill 20 which includes the introduction of local political parties, it heralded a new look for local elections. Two groups were quick out of the gate and have already stated their intent to run a slate of candidates in the next election.

Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton (PACE) has been hosting information sessions to inform citizens of their plans if they’re elected into office. Doug Main, the PACE vice-president of communications, says PACE is looking for candidates who are fiscally proven, business-friendly, growth-oriented, community focused and fact-based.

Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, president of the other party, Transparent and Active Partnerships Edmonton (TAPYeg) believes parties are an important part of democracy in all levels of government.

As expected there was immediate opposition to political parties at the local level. Nakota Isga councillor Andrew Knack questions how candidates will be able to represent their constituents to the best of their ability while holding allegiance to a prospective party’s goals. McEwan University political scientist Chaldeans Mensah says this will bolster the left-wing to right-wing political spectrum.

It will be interesting to watch if other groups form and if so, under what banner?

If you're unfamiliar with BILL 20 there's a PDF of it below.