Don’t hold equalization referendum during municipal election: Nenshi
Posted Jun 19, 2020 12:31 pm.
Last Updated Jun 19, 2020 2:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Calgary’s mayor is calling out the province for planning to hold its equalization referendum during the municipal election.
Speaking on Breakfast Television Friday morning, Naheed Nenshi said he doesn’t agree with Premier Kenney’s plan to hold the referendum while Calgarians are occupied with another crucial vote.
“It’s disrespectful, let’s put it that way, to local electors. It may be cheaper but democracy isn’t always cheap. I think city councillors, school board trustees, particularly, deserve a day when people are focused on them and their issues.”
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This comes after the province released its Fair Deal Panel report, suggesting a change to equalization payments and promising a referendum in 2021.
Nenshi added while some countries do have multiple votes in one day, it’s not always the best course of action.
“In the U.S. we see states where they have all their elections on one day, they have a bunch of referendums on one day and the people who are kind of at the back of the book of the ballots of voting really get short shrift. I don’t think that’s fair.”
In response, the province said this is a common occurrence across the nation.
“Holding referendums simultaneous to local elections is a common practice that exists in jurisdictions across North America; it saves time and money, and leads to increased voter participation, which is a good thing. Holding a referendum at a separate time would cost tens of millions of extra dollars. For example, Calgary’s Olympic plebiscite cost $2.2 million,” said Municipal Affairs Spokesperson Tim Gerwing.
Municipal elections are scheduled to be held in Calgary and across Alberta on Oct. 18, 2021.
