MLAs Peter Guthrie and Marie Renaud face recall petitions

Elections Alberta has approved two new recall petitions, this time for MLAs Peter Guthrie and Marie Renaud.

Elections Alberta has approved recall petition applications for MLAs Peter Guthrie and Marie Renaud.

With the Progressive Tory Party, Guthrie has represented Airdrie-Cochrane since 2019. New Democrat Renaud was first elected in 2015 and represents St.Albert.

The two recent approvals bring the total recall petitions submitted to Elections Alberta up to 28. So far, none of them have been successful or were withdrawn.

Earlier this week, Elections Alberta said a petition to oust Premier Danielle Smith had failed to get the required number of signatures.

Canvassers have 90 days to collect 18,171 signatures for Guthrie’s petition, and 15,502 for Renaud’s.

The petition to recall Guthrie was submitted by Lawrence Martini, who cited legal issues as reason for the application.

“As an MLA, there are limits to my role, particularly with respect to private legal matters and court proceedings,” responded Guthrie in a statement. “While we were unable to resolve this individual’s concerns, we approached the situation in good faith and remain focused on serving the people of Airdrie-Cochrane.”

Lilo Forsyth submitted the petition against Renaud, saying that the MLA “represents an ideology – not St. Albert.”

“She shows up in activist classrooms, wraps herself in that agenda, and calls it ‘safety.’ She treats parents like the problem, deliberately shutting them out – along with anyone who disagrees with her,” said Forsyth’s application.

Renaud responded, saying the constituents of St. Albert emphasized the importance of accessible public education.

“I will endeavour to do all I can in my role as MLA for St. Albert to ensure every student has access to quality public education regardless of their race, religion, ability or gender,” wrote Renaud.

The last day for canvassers to collect signatures for both petitions is June 10.