Informal Petitions

Informal petitions are used to express public opinion to City Council. Council is not legally required to act when it receives an informal petition. If you want your petition to compel Council to take action, you must meet strict legal requirements for a legally binding petition under the Municipal Government Act. 

This legislation is available at the Public Library and the Court House Library.  Copies can also be purchased from the Queen's Printer at 10611 - 98 Avenue (phone 780-427-4952).

Requirements

  • Legible and coherent
  • Written on paper
  • Signed by at least 1 person who provides a printed name and address

Requirements for all written communications are listed in sections 215 to 222 of Procedures and Committees Bylaw 12300.  If the petition does not meet these basic standards, the City Clerk may file or dispose of the petition without presenting it to Council.

Guidelines

  • Keep the wording of the petition brief and to the point
  • Include the entire wording of the petition at the top of each page so it is clear that each person is agreeing to the same thing
  • Use ruled paper with the same number of signatures per page
  • Get a signature, address, and printed name for each petitioner
  • Have each petitioner insert the date of his or her signature

You must designate one person as a representative who may be contacted by the Office of the City Clerk. Include the contact person's name, address and telephone number (fax number where applicable).

The petition must not be "libelous, impertinent or improper." If it is any of these, the City Clerk must summarize the petition and withhold the original from Council. Council will be informed that the original is being withheld. Council may choose to look at the petition itself.

If you have concerns about meeting these requirements, you should seek independent legal advice.

Information contained in an informal petition may be made available to the public.

Once your petition has met all conditions and you are ready to submit, please deliver it to the Office of the City Clerk.

For more information:

Office of the City Clerk

3rd floor, City Hall
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, AB  T5J 2R7

Telephone 780-496-8178
Fax 780-496-8175
Email city.clerk@edmonton.ca
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