Some Alberta municipal leaders are decrying newly proposed legislation they say gives the provincial government sweeping new authority over municipalities, including greater power to change bylaws and remove mayors or councillors. Meanwhile, Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver says the province is acting within its legal responsibility to administer municipalities, and said on May 2 that his government will amend the proposed legislation to address concerns.
The proposed legislation is being introduced five months after the province ousted the mayor of Chestermere, along with three councillors, citing prolonged dysfunction of the municipal government. Ontario made a similar move on April 29, removing the mayor and council of Black River.
