Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf facing recall petition

Six more United Conservative Party MLAs are now facing recall petitions in their ridings for a total of 14. Among them is Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf.

Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf is among a growing list of UCP MLAs facing recall petitions.

On Tuesday, Elections Alberta issued recall petitions against five more members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party caucus – Neudorf among them – bringing the total to 14.

It means Neudorf, the minister of affordability and utilities, faces the possibility of losing his seat.

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“I think there are a couple of dimensions to this,” said University of Lethbridge professor of political science Lars Hallstrom. “The first is, there’s the local implication of an MLA – one of two for our area here in Lethbridge – and the implications then being how will this actually reflect public opinion and public satisfaction or dissatisfaction?”

Under Alberta’s Recall Act, any person eligible to vote in a riding can ask to begin collecting signatures to try to get their legislature member expelled if they feel the member is failing at their duties.

A petitioner has to submit an application with a reason stated in 100 words or less, and they must pay a $500 processing fee.

The application for Neudorf, submitted by Ryan Tanner, says the minister’s recent voting activity shows a disconnect between needs, desires and expectations of his constituents.

Neudorf submitted a statement to elections Alberta taking issue with the recall.

The statement says “recall legislation was designed for cases of serious misconduct, not policy disagreements. I have consistently worked to represent Lethbridge-East with integrity, listening to diverse perspectives and making decisions in the best interest of our community and province.”

Elections Alberta maintains it is independent and cannot advise MLAs on recall statements submitted to them.

Elections Alberta said it “does not assist or support members in the preparation or provision of their member’s statement, should they choose to provide a statement. We publish what is received from the member, exactly as it is received.”

Recall petitions need signatures equal to 60 per cent of the voter turnout in the previous election.

For Lethbridge-East, that would mean about 13,000 signatures for a successful recall.

Hallstrom says even if recalls are unsuccessful, the province will likely have to take notice of what seems to be growing dissatisfaction in Alberta.

“I think it would behoove the current government to pay attention to what is a largely unprecedented and widespread, action of protest and dissatisfaction from their voting public,” he said. “We’ll see how things actually play out.”

Recall canvassers will have 90 days to collect signatures.