Recall Petitions Put Alberta MLAs Under Intense Public Scrutiny
So, here’s what’s unfolding right now in Alberta, and it’s a pretty significant development in provincial politics. Three new recall petitions have officially been issued, and they directly target three sitting MLAs — including Premier Danielle Smith. This move has set off a lot of conversation across the province, and it’s worth breaking down exactly what’s going on in a clear, conversational way.
According to Elections Alberta, all three petition applications were reviewed and found to meet the requirements under section 3(1) of the Recall Act. That means the petitions were allowed to proceed, and formal written notice was sent out earlier in December to everyone involved — the petition applicants, the MLAs named in the filings, their party leader, and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
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The MLAs facing recall efforts at the moment are Rebecca Schulz from Calgary-Shaw, Danielle Smith from Brooks-Medicine Hat, and Nate Glubish from Strathcona–Sherwood Park. Once the petitions were officially approved, Elections Alberta published the Notices of Recall Petition and the applicants’ statements online, giving Albertans a transparent look at why each effort was launched. Each MLA had the right to respond with their own statement, though only statements received during the allowed period were posted.
Now, here’s where the process gets really detailed. Each recall petition comes with a specific signature requirement. For Danielle Smith’s riding, for example, more than 12,000 signatures are needed — representing 60% of the votes cast in that constituency during the last provincial election. And collecting those signatures isn’t as simple as setting up an online form. Alberta’s Recall Act requires original handwritten signatures collected in person by registered canvassers.
These canvassers must live in the constituency, must follow strict rules, and must witness every signature in person. They also have to swear affidavits confirming, to the best of their knowledge, that the people who signed were eligible. The entire signature-gathering period lasts exactly 90 days, ending on March 10, 2026. After that, Elections Alberta has up to 21 days to verify everything.
If the required signatures are met, the results are reported to the petition applicant, the MLA, the party leader, and the Speaker — and they’re published publicly. The recall process is extensive and highly regulated, emphasizing accuracy, eligibility, and transparency at every step.
This entire development marks an important moment in Alberta politics, highlighting both citizen engagement and the accountability structures built into provincial legislation. Whether any of these petitions ultimately succeed remains to be seen, but the fact that they’ve been issued at all means the next few months will be closely watched across the province.
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