City Government

Airport Petition Invalid Under Provincial Law

September 15, 2010

Following 20 days of extensive review and analysis, City Clerk Alayne Sinclair has declared that the Envision Edmonton petition is not sufficient to compel City Council to put its question to Edmonton voters.

In order to force a vote on an issue, petitions must be signed by a number of electors equal to 10 per cent of the population. In Edmonton’s case, 78,244 signatures were required, and the review showed that no more than 73,567 eligible electors signed the petition.

Staff at the Office of the City Clerk reviewed each of the signatures that were submitted, checking that all had valid Edmonton addresses, were properly dated and witnessed and had legible names. (See item 5.8 on today’s Council agenda.)

Another significant factor is that a petition cannot be declared sufficient if its purpose is to repeal or amend a Council resolution that was passed more than 60 days before the petition was filed. Sinclair reported that the bylaw petitioners requested would in fact require Council to amend or repeal its resolution of July 8, 2009 to close the City Centre airport in phases.

“We gave this petition a complete and reasonable review,” Alayne Sinclair said. “I respect that many volunteers put a great deal of time into this petition, and our staff worked very hard to give it the consideration it is due.”

Provincial legislation gives municipalities 30 days to verify petitions, but City staff worked hard to complete the review in time to put a question on the October election ballot if necessary. About 80 staff members worked two shifts a day, putting in more than 3,700 hours.

A sufficient petition would require a public vote on the bylaw it proposes, and the result of that vote would be binding on future Council. City Council has the option to put a question to the voters at any time, and the results of this kind of vote are not binding on Council.

For more information:

Alayne Sinclair

Title	City Clerk
Telephone	780-496-8151