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MLAs will debate whether Alberta ought to have recall legislation, which would allow voters to punt their provincial representative from office without waiting for an election.

Drayton Valley-Devon United Conservative Party MLA Mark Smith has proposed the change in a private member’s bill, called the Election Recall Act. If adopted and proclaimed, Alberta would join B.C. as the second province to allow recall of MLAs.

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Smith said in a Monday interview the move is about empowering the electorate. He’s heard support for the idea from his constituents and people across Alberta.

“I think there are times that we have seen that MLAs have not fulfilled their responsibilities in what most Albertans would consider to be a reasonable fashion,” Smith said. “Then, they’re stuck. They’re looking at it and going,’ I can’t do anything for four years,’ perhaps. This gives them the opportunity.”

Similar to B.C.’s recall law, which came into force in 1995, Smith’s proposed law would allow a disenchanted resident in an MLA’s riding to circulate a recall petition among voters once the MLA has been in office for at least 18 months.