Thread by @AndrewKnack

Bill 29 (Local Authorities Election Amendment Act) are being debated right now. The bill is a huge step backwards and will only advantage incumbents and those that who are connected to wealthy donors. It also reduces transparency. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

A friendly reminder: the extremely short public survey has never been released publicly so no one actually knows what Albertans wanted to see for changes. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

Premier @jkenney is speaking in the Legislature right now and suggesting that Bill 29 will somehow encourage more people to run and get involved even though this Bill is a return to the old system with less transparency. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

Premier @jkenney “The advantages that incumbents have is diminished under this Bill.”

Except again, this is easily a step backwards and we’ve heard that from other organizations. I have a greater advantage if Bill 29 passes. That’s not right.

#ableg #abpoli #yyccc #yegcc

And can I just note how ridiculous it is that serious issues like the rules that govern our local democracy are debated late at night.

These rules should have been set by an independent citizen panel which would have ensured the process was fair.

#ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc

I agree with the UCP that we shouldn’t have union and corporate involvement and that greater action should have been taken by the NDP to address those loopholes. But this Bill does far more harm than good. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

I thought the government was going to make amendments using feedback from organizations like @ParityYEG, @askheryyc, @TheAUMA. Instead there are no changes, why bother engaging these groups if there was no intent to use their constructive feedback? #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc

We didn’t even try one election using the rules that were approved in 2018 before changing it back to the old system that gives a great advantage to incumbents. Were the 2018 rules perfect? Absolutely not. Instead of tweaking these rules, we take a leap backwards. #ableg #abpoli

I don’t watch debates at the Legislature very often because I greatly dislike party politics but some of the point I heard reinforces why an independent citizen panel should have been set up to recommend changes to the local election rules. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

The current MLA speaking just said that he wasn’t going to speak on this Bill because he didn’t have a great understanding of municipal politics. If that is the case, why is an elected representative voting on an issue this important?! #ableg #abpoli #yyccc #yegcc #yegvote

I cannot believe that people would be voting on this Bill without a clear understanding of municipal politics.

@ThomasDangAB has suggested that we need to put the breaks on this and make sure everyone understands what this bill would actually do. #ableg #abpoli #yyccc #yegcc

@RicMcIver is talking about the NDP not having have an issue with @gilmcgowan putting in large amounts of money into politics but then complain about the ability for a single donor to donate $5,000 per person. Both are wrong so let’s fix both! #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc

Now he is discussing the rule where disclosure isn’t required. The previous rule doesn’t require disclosure and the new rules also don’t require disclosure. This isn’t a NDP or UCP issue. Let’s make local elections more transparent! #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

The argument being made that requiring disclosure before the election is too cumbersome for candidates is completely unreasonable. All candidates keep a running tally of their donations so it’s easy to post them at any time. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

If this is truly better for challengers, why are external organizations like @ParityYEG and @askheryyc expressing concerns about Bill 29? Why wouldn’t the public survey results be released for to the public? #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

I agree with the current MLA speaking @LailaGoodridge who suggests that we need to get more women and minorities running for office.

Bill 29 is a return to the old rules with less transparency. So the incumbency advantage increases. #abpoli #ableg #yegcc #yyccc

The amendment to postpone Bill 29 was just defeated. What an incredibly disappointing day for local democracy. The rules make it harder to challenge incumbents. It’s less transparent. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

The suggestion that Bill 29 eliminates the incumbency advantage is incorrect. We had different independent organizations speaking up to say this does not address that issue and yet, Bill 29 is being pushed through after midnight. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

What’s so odd about this debate is I completely agree with Minister @KayceeMaduYEG’s reasons for wanting to make changes to rules that govern our local elections & yet the changes are a return to the old system which retains the incumbency advantage.
#ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc

The one positive is that surpluses cannot be carried over. But beyond that, it’s a step backwards in many other ways. The system was stacked against me in 2007, 2010, and 2013. It was stacked in my favour in 2017. Bill 29 doesn’t fix those problems. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc

Bill 29 is about local elections and yet there is partisan bickering. Watching this reminds me how much I appreciate our local system because even when we disagree, we regularly debate the issue, not the person (or party).

#ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

Bill 29 just passed third reading without any amendments even though many organizations offered very reasonable suggestions. It’s now that much harder for someone to challenge me. That’s not right and it hurts our local democracy.

#ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

I know this has happened for years, but it infuriating that such important issues are debated so late into the evening. This is an extremely serious topic and it should have been done when every MLA could participate in the debate.

#ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

Many know I’m usually a ridiculously happy person. After watching the debate for Bill 29, this is one of the few times that I’m furious. What was the purpose of the survey? Why ask for feedback from groups like @ParityYEG @askheryyc @TheAUMA? #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

There has been a great willingness to use citizen panels for many critical issues and yet for something as important as our rules that govern our local elections, there was no meaningful attempt to engage and let Albertans set the rules. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

It was hard to see that occur in real-time. I almost wish I had missed this debate and just gone to bed early. But even though we just experienced a huge leap backwards, we have to use this as motivation to continue pushing for change. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

The 2021 municipal election is now going to be much easier for incumbents and less transparent. Candidates will have to hold themselves to a higher standard and hope that their leadership encourages change in future local elections. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

If I run again in 2021, I am committing to disclosing all my donations before the municipal election.

People deserve to know who is donating to candidates and so I’ll hold myself to that standard, just like I have in 2010, 2013, and 2017.

#ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc #yegvote

And with that, I need to call it a night. Tomorrow (today?) is a new day & while I’m disappointed w/ the new (old) rules, we need to work that much harder to get new people to run for office. It won’t be easy, but we need to be up for the challenge. #ableg #abpoli #yegcc #yyccc