Let's Use Referendums to Our Advantage

Could we organize in ways to make the Smith regime more transparent, accountable, honest. Or should we scrap referendums altogether?

MY REFERENDUM QUESTIONS

The Elections Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 54) is being proclaimed effective July 4th.

Perhaps we should learn from the Separatist Alberta Prosperity Project. Could we organize a core of 200,000 pluralist Albertans that could force referendums on the Smith government on matters that really concern us?

For example:

1 Should the Smith government be forced to repeal the Sovereignty Act?

2 Should all Alberta Elections be required by law to use a Proportional Representation voting model?

3 Should Albertans be able to petition the government and force a Judicial Public Inquiry on the issue of alleged corruption or political abuse of power?

4 Should conventional oil production be phased out, and all corporate revenues net of operating, taxes, and royalties immediately be dedicated to well site cleanup?

5. Should corporate and union donations be barred from all elections conducted under Alberta law?

6. Should diversity, inclusion, and equity principles be embedded in all aspects of Alberta government departments, agencies, institutions, and publicly funded or subsidized entities?

7 Should all Cabinet members be required to publicly disclose, on a weekly basis, all details of all meetings and events they attend, other than legislative sessions or related committee meetings and personal or family matters?

8. Should all candidates for elected office be independently vetted and verified, and results be publicly disclosed by Elections Alberta, on the same basis used for appointments of Judges?

9 Should all political messages, news releases, opinions and commentary statements, from all elected representatives be required to disclose the sources and evidence they use to support their claims?

10 Should Political Parties be banned from Alberta municipal and school board elections?

11 Should the results of all non-litigation-related provincial policy issue surveys, research reports, and public consultation data be publicly disclosed, without redactions, within 10 days of submission or completion?

IN CONCLUSION

I'm serious about some of these suggestions, such as 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8.

Others are there to raise awareness of areas where we could, and perhaps should, apply pressure on government and opposition to embrace and employ by effectively applied political pressures.

In any event, why not use our collective citizenship impact and organize a critical mass of 200,000 voter-eligible Alberta citizens who could force an issue in the public interest?

I'm interested in comments on any specific Referendum item and the entire Collective Impact idea.