Alberta’s Bill 54 Brings Major Election Overhaul: Corporate Donations Return, Referendum Rules Eased

The Alberta government has introduced sweeping changes to its electoral laws through Bill 54, a controversial new piece of legislation that reinstates corporate and union donations, eliminates vouching at polling stations, and lowers thresholds for recalls and referendums. Tabled by Justice Minister Mickey Amery, the bill has sparked immediate political debate over its impact on democratic fairness.

Premier Danielle Smith defended the reforms, arguing they will “strengthen democracy” by giving Albertans more ways to participate politically. Bill 54 reverses a ban on corporate and union donations first introduced by the NDP in 2015. If passed, it will allow contributions up to $5,000 to political parties, candidates, constituency associations, and third-party advertisers. A separate $5,000 cap will apply to leadership campaigns. While such donations will now be public and non-deductible, critics worry about transparency and potential misuse through numbered companies.

The bill also removes the vouching system, which allowed voters without ID to be vouched for by someone from the same riding. In its place, the legislation broadens acceptable ID options but requires each voter to prove their address individually. The elimination of electronic vote tabulators is another major shift. All ballots will now be counted by hand, with a mandated 12-hour deadline for unofficial results to be tallied.

Bill 54 makes it easier to recall MLAs and launch citizen-initiated referendums. Under the proposed rules, a recall petition would need signatures from 60% of those who voted in the last election in a given riding—down from the current 40% of all eligible voters. The signature collection window would also be extended to 90 days. Referendum thresholds are also being reduced, requiring signatures from only 10% of those who voted in the last provincial election rather than 10% or 20% of all registered voters.

Opposition NDP justice critic Irfan Sabir called the bill dangerous and undemocratic, arguing it opens the door to corporate influence and plays to separatist sentiments. He also expressed concern that wealthy donors could exploit legal loopholes to obscure the source of their funds.

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Additional measures in Bill 54 include expanded third-party advertiser spending limits from $182,000 to $500,000, mandatory unpaid leaves for municipal politicians seeking provincial office, earlier financial disclosures for school board and municipal candidates, and new flexibility for voting in referendums on Indigenous settlements.

The legislation marks a significant shift in Alberta’s electoral landscape, with proponents calling it a modernization and critics warning of a slide toward money-driven politics.