Bill Would Grant Alberta Powers to Fire Municipal Councillors, Postpone Elections

The Alberta government has introduced a bill that would grant it sweeping powers over municipalities, including the right to fire councillors, overturn bylaws and postpone elections. The proposed law would also allow political parties to run on municipal ballots in Edmonton and Calgary as soon as next year. Municipal Affairs Minster Ric McIver says the new powers are justified to ensure fair elections and accountability from municipal leaders, and they would only be used as a last resort. “My most fervent wish is that this authority is never ever used. We don’t want to intervene in municipal matters,” Mr. McIver told reporters before the bill was introduced in the legislature on April 25....