Alberta's Bill 20 criticized for voting changes
Since before it was even introduced, Bill 20 has been criticized. Cities are worried about municipal political parties, the province having the power to remove council members and the ability to repeal bylaws. Its changes to voter rules that have political scientist Jared Wesley worried. We know that people that are houseless. We know that the elderly, people in rural areas, students, people that move around quite a bit for work or otherwise, are most affected by this. Right now someone with photo ID can vouch for another voters age. Address and Identity Bill 20 would limit that to just their address. Wesley believes that will make it harder for people without a driver’s license to vote, but the province disagrees. So we’re trying to actually enable legitimate voters to be able to vote and to stop those that aren’t legitimate voters from voting. I would hope all Albertans are in favor of that. Over the past 10 years, so far the the elections Alberta’s only documented 7 cases. A voter impersonation involving 5 people. This law would potentially disenfranchise 10s of thousands of Albertans. Rick McIver says the province is actively trying to get people identification, including at the Navigation Center where people from homeless encampments are taken. The legislation is expected to be passed by the end of the month. There’s no urgency to like that. We as a municipality, we have never identified any needs for changes to that that are being proposed in Bill 18 and Bill 20. The minister says he’s currently working with lawyers on the multiple changes. I’m trying to get the amendments to a point where I can share them with the municipal associations in Calgary and Edmonton and and then get their further feedback. Whether that includes changes to voter ID remains to be seen. Brianna Carsten Smith, Global News.