Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Among many promises, one of the first items on Premier Rachel Notley’s agenda, besides a revised budget, may be campaign finance reform. Currently, individuals, corporations, and unions have a $15,000 limit on campaign donations to political parties in non-election years, and $30,000 in election years. Removal of corporate and union donations and lowering the limits, could see a ceiling of $1,500 per person, per year thereby putting an end to Alberta’s slanted election finances while closely resembling laws at the federal level and in many provinces. Such rule changes may help prevent any future political dynasty in Alberta. These democratic reform measures would mean that any future governments will not be able to use the tools and levers of government to promote and sustain their political party like the PCs, and before them, the Social Credit party, have done. Alberta’s political system could possibly grow into a mature mix of parties with competitive elections and regular rotation of governments. The spe