Five Alberta UCP MLAs Face Recall Petitions Amid Constituency Concerns

An Edmonton-area cabinet minister and a former deputy premier are among five more members of the United Conservative Party (UCP) facing recall petitions in Alberta. According to Elections Alberta, the total number of government MLAs subject to recall has now reached 14. The latest group includes Spruce Grove-Stony Plain MLA Searle Turton, Affordability and Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf, Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan, Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely, and Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken.

The recall campaigns must gather signatures amounting to at least 60 percent of the votes cast in each electoral division during the last election by February 23, 2024. The applicant for Turton’s recall alleges his insufficient engagement with constituents and support for government legislation that imposed a new contract on striking teachers. She commented, “Searle’s lack of consideration for his constituents in his vote is a strong indication of his unsatisfactory and apathetic job performance.” As of now, Turton has not publicly responded to the petition.

Neudorf’s recall effort cites his voting record as evidence of a disconnect with the needs of his constituents. In his defense, he accused the applicant of misusing the recall legislation, stating, “Weaponizing recall for ideological purposes undermines stability and constructive governance.” Neudorf previously served as infrastructure minister and deputy premier, winning his Lethbridge-East seat in the 2023 election by a margin of 636 votes over Rob Miyashiro.

Stephan faces accusations of unresponsiveness to constituents and supporting a separatist agenda. He claimed that the recall campaign will ultimately fail and highlighted his achievements in local governance, asserting that he has “sought to boldly and respectfully speak the truth as I best understand it, even if some do not like it, seeking freedom and prosperity for Albertans.”

Van Dijken’s recall petition alleges that he prioritizes party loyalty over the rights of his constituents. In response, he noted his previous achievements and commitment to advocating for rural Albertans, suggesting that “partisan activists have weaponized recall petitions.”

Lovely has been criticized for her support of legislation perceived as detrimental to public education, healthcare, and workers’ rights. In her defense, she expressed pride in her voting record and emphasized her ongoing community outreach efforts, stating, “I remain fully committed to being accessible, accountable, and engaged with the Albertans I represent.”

On the previous Monday, six additional recall petitions were announced, which included five cabinet ministers and the Speaker of the legislature. The UCP caucus commented that recalls are designed to address breaches of trust, serious misconduct, or a sustained failure to represent constituents. They reaffirmed their commitment to the priorities for which they were elected, namely, to foster economic growth, lower taxes, and create opportunities for Albertans.

Previously approved recall petitions target Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, Deputy Speaker Angela Pitt, and Grande Prairie MLA Nolan Dyck. As the political landscape in Alberta continues to shift, these recall efforts reflect growing dissatisfaction among some constituents regarding their representatives’ actions and decisions.