Thread by @GettinShifDone

Bill 29, folks! An Act to Sell Democracy to the Highest Bidder! This bill will do almost nothing to level the playing field except for grant #yyccc the power to add an additional returning office or two... Strap in! We're about to go on a ride! #ableg #abpoli

https://twitter.com/KayceeMaduYEG/status/1275899686444916737

Let's start with this gross misrepresentation on behalf of AUMA, who actually said the following, but you get points for trying there, @KayceeMaduYEG #abpoli #ableg

https://twitter.com/KayceeMaduYEG/status/1275899687564767232?s=20

Min. Madu also claims that these changes were a result of robust consultation... I provided one on behalf of myself and consulted with multiple organizations who explicitly expressed concern around these changes.

https://twitter.com/KayceeMaduYEG/status/1275899688676286467?s=20

And now we're here, with no report to show for it.

I was also extremely annoyed that the GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA used SURVEY MONKEY for what is arguably a consultation that will shape the future of democracy in our province. #ableg #abpoli

Min. Madu & co. claim these changes make local elections "fair, transparent, and inclusive", when in fact, it disproportionately benefits wealthy candidates, regardless of whether they are incumbents, with access to wealthy social/donor networks. #ableg #abpoli #yyccc

The election period is now reduced from 6 weeks to 4 weeks. If you lack $ but have hustle, this is a huge disadvantage. I've heard claims that a longer nomination period means more accessibility for candidates considering office. The cons outweigh that bs pro here. #ableg #yyccc

I'll... give some credit... I guess. There's this random amendment that allows municipalities to pass bylaws that would increase the amount of ROs in a given local jurisdiction. Cool. That costs money to staff, so I hope Mad is ready to approve all requests coming through. #yyccc

Things start to perk up when you check out Section 32. It allows nominated candidates to withdraw from the race at ANY TIME rather than in the 24 hr period after noms close. No mention of $ disclosures if/when one chooses to do so...Sound familiar? #abpoli theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta…

Ugh, I hate math. I hear it's hard. So correct me if I mess this one up. Before, you could only solicit $2K prior to Jan 1 of elxn year, and donate a max of $4K to council candidates, and $4K to school board trustee candidates. #yyccc #ableg #abpoli

Candidates were also prohibited from "incurring campaign expenses" prior to Jan 1 of elxn year. Here's what that includes....aaaand its not longer a thing. You can do all of this prior to the official campaign period with a HUGE WAD OF CASH now! #ableg #yyccc

Bill 29 strikes this specific line out, while also allowing an increase of solicitation up to $5000, plus a personal contribution of $10,000 prior to the start of the campaign period. Tell me, @KayceeMaduYEG ... how many every day people have a $10K slush fund sitting around?

Please read this:

https://twitter.com/meksmith/status/1275945670969397248?s=20

#yyc #yyccc #yeg #yegcc #ableg #abpoli #abelxn

Big money is literally being waltzed down a red carpet. Before, individuals could only donate a maximum of $4000 across the board, and now, you can donate $5000 PER CANDIDATE. This is insanity. How is this an accessible election when wealthy people dominate the show? #yyccc

$5K x 15 #yyccc candidates = $75,000
$5K x 7 #yycbe candidates = $35,000
$5K x [dark horse candidate] = ???

Very few people have access to this kind of money, and they have very special interests which often don't include people like you and me.

& we haven't even touched PACS

Before we talk about PACs, there's also this really great tidbit that really speaks to the transparency @KayceeMaduYEG was referring to - literally barring #yyccc & #yegcc from passing bylaws that mandate pre-election financial disclosures.... #abpoli #ableg

Remember this guy? I sure do! 🙃calgaryherald.com/news/local-new… #yyc #yyccc #ableg #abpoli

On to PACs / Third Party Advertisers. This, right here, is the key to unlocking just how completely up for sale we are in this next election. Pay special attention to the addition of the term "Registrar" #yyccc #abpoli #ableg

I looked over this a few times because I thought I was being paranoid... and maybe I am, but I highly doubt it. The "Registrar" does not appear once prior, but following this first mention, it appears EVERY TIME "local jurisdiction" and/or "returning officer" does. #yyccc

Legitimately, half way through Bill 29, you'll see the above, this ⬇️ & the remainder of the bill is amending any statement referencing the "local jurisdiction" and/or "officer" to include the Registrar. #yyccc

I bring this up because there's so much careful consideration for amending every term to include the possibility of oversight by a Registrar, even though we don't really know any details about that role, but there's pages on conduct for others, including: #yyccc #ableg

The rest of the bill mostly includes amendments that REMOVE any reference to "political advertising", which is previously defined as the following:

(so, basically, you can spend PAC money how you like, when you like it, without having much regulation to deal with) #yyccc #ableg

You'll note they completely repeal Section 162, sub section 5 and 6, which sucks, because it defines what political advertising is, and provides some compelling evidence to consider monitoring it during the campaign period #yyccc #ableg

If you compile the Ministerial appointment of a Registrar, removal of all monitoring / expense disclosures related to political advertising outside of an election period, and the requirement to run PAC activities in more than 10 wards/ jurisdictions...

You just end up with a special best friend that @KayceeMaduYEG assigned you to run rampant with little to no oversight on this overflowing war chest. IT's terrifying. Verification of receipts, consequences for falsifying records, failing to properly disclose, etc. #yyccc

There's wording that permits a candidate to attend any kind of event or utilize promotional mechanisms without accounting for them as resources if they aren't branded as such or a "primary" reason for hosting. Behind closed doors.

Also, legislation sucks and it's meant to confuse people and undermine democracy and access to power on a good day. So, if you'd like to chat about this and groan with me, lemme know. I'll be taking a short nap and return to this godforsaken bird app soon.