Alberta Increases Fee for Citizen-Initiated Referendums to $25,000 After Flood of Recall Petitions

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks during an Alberta Next Panel town hall in Edmonton on July 16, 2025. Office of the Premier

The Alberta government is hiking the cost to apply for a citizen-initiated referendum to $25,000 in an effort to discourage “frivolous” applicants and ensure only those who are “serious” apply.

The fee increase comes amid a recent wave of recall petitions in Alberta targeting Premier Danielle Smith, several cabinet ministers, and United Conservative Party (UCP) MLAs.