Thread by @MBellefontaine

Back on Bill 70-watch tonight (thankfully from my warm and sunny balcony).

The evening sitting starts with debate on Bill 51 in committee of the whole.

(This is bill for citizen-initiated amendments)

Justice Minister Kaycee Madu in introducing an amendment o his bill. #ableg

Just deleted a tweet that had an amusing, unintentional typo, LOL

(that Madu introduced a minister to his bill -- he introduced an amendment) #ableg

Peace River MLA Dan Williams is describing himself as a "gravel worker" before he became an MLA.

While it was true he worked for Knelsen Gravel in La Crete while he was running for the UCP in the last election, Williams worked for Kenney prior to that.

prrecordgazette.com/news/local-new…

#ableg

Justice Minister Kaycee Madu is now defending his bill against NDP critiques that citizen referenda could be used to strip minority groups of their rights. #ableg

NDP amendment to Bill 51 now to put third-party advertising spending limits for citizen-initiated referendums to $30,000.
#ableg

Independent MLAs Loewen and Barnes have also flagged future amendments to this bill. #ableg

Justice Minister Kaycee Madu is calling this amendment "much ado about nothing." He says Alberta already has "robust" laws for elections financing. #ableg

He is calling on the house to vote against the amendment.

The UCP majority votes against it. NDP votes in favour. A division is called

"Ring the bells." #ableg

Loewen and Barnes vote with the government on defeating this amendment. #ableg

NDP MLA @SPhillipsAB introducing another amendment to Bill 51 -- to prevent citizen-initiated referendums held at the same time as municipal and school trustee elections #ableg

Justice Minister Kaycee Madu, sponsor of Bill 51, is urging MLAs to vote against the amendment.

he says anything the government can do to get people to the ballot box is a good thing. #ableg

UCP MLA Jason Stephan asks MLAs to reject the amendment as it increases red tape.

Amendment is defeated.

#Ableg

Independent MLA Todd Loewen now proposing an amendment to Bill 51.
He wants the thresholds to be lowered for petitions. #ableg

Both he and fellow independent Drew Barnes argue the thresholds for citizen-initiated referendums and recall are way too high for ordinary citizens to reach.

cbc.ca/news/canada/ed…

#ableg

Loewen is citing thresholds in California which are much lower than what is proposed in Bill 51.

#ableg

UCP MLA Dan Williams says lowering the thresholds is concerning to him. he wants MLAs to "have faith" in the thresholds in the bill #ableg

Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes, who has joined forces with Loewen on these amendments, standing to speak in favour of Loewen's amendment.

Barnes says let's err on the side on giving people a say.
#ableg

This could be an interesting vote.

Will backbench MLAs vote with Loewen and Barnes, who are appealing to grassroots, Wildrose values? Or will they be whipped to vote with the UCP caucus? #Ableg

UCP MLA Jason Stephan from Red Deer South starts his remarks by asking "do I have 20 minutes, Madam Speaker?" #ableg

This speech from MLA Jason Stephan...could take many tangents. #ableg

Stephan is SUPPORTING the Loewen amendment.

"we are a party of the grassroots."

He says the thresholds in bill 51 are too high.

#ableg