CALGARY, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation hosted a virtual birthday party for Premier Jason Kenney’s recall legislation promise, which turned two years old today.

“We’re watching Kenney’s recall promise grow older right before our very eyes,” said Franco Terrazzano, the CTF’s Alberta Director. “As far as political promises go, two years is getting pretty old and we think it’s time for Kenney’s recall promise to finally spread its wings and become a law.”

Recall legislation gives voters the right to launch a petition that triggers a byelection if it gathers enough signatures. Voters are then able to vote to remove or re-elect a sitting member of the legislative assembly. British Columbia has already enacted recall legislation to ensure elected officials are accountable between elections.

Kenney promised recall legislation on Feb. 14, 2019, while campaigning ahead of the last provincial election.

The Alberta government also promised recall legislation during last February’s Throne Speech. The speech promised to extend the rules to allow Albertans hold their local politicians accountable.

The province’s Democratic Accountability Committee recommended a 40 per cent signature threshold to trigger a recall by-election. The CTF has recommended the province set the threshold at 25 per cent of votes cast in the last election.

“When taxpayers blew out the candle this year, we wished for Kenney to make good on his promise and pass recall legislation during the upcoming legislative session,” said Terrazzano. “Albertans always deserve the right to hold politicians accountable and that’s why we need recall legislation now.”

You can watch the virtual birthday party here.