When re-electing the Tories this past March, how many Calgarians expected April's budget to push provincial government spending back up to the same range it was ten years ago under Don Getty? How many taxpayers were consulted about increasing MLA severance pay to three months' salary for every year in office? When was the last time Albertans had a direct say on a specific issue or policy, such as VLTs?
A lack of accountability is not unique to Alberta. Federally, too, politicians have a blank cheque to do as they please, up to five years at a time. During elections you will hear politicians singing the praises of voters, who are deemed to be prudent, intelligent, sophisticated and wise.

But between elections, taxpayers must approach their MLAs and MPs cap-in-hand, as though humbly beseeching their masters. Albertans are in charge for one brief moment, while marking an "x" on their ballots, and then absolute power and control returns to the Government Caucus of MLAs for the remaining 99.9% of the time.

In theory politicians are responsive, knowing that there will be a brief moment of accountability about once every four years.

But in practice, politicians can avoid topics which make them feel uncomfortable, and they can ignore the wishes of their constituents on issues of concern. This is because elections are dominated by one big question: which leader/party should be Premier/government? Nothing else really matters.

Issues play second fiddle to personalities. Even when issues are debated, it is only through the prism of the positions taken by different parties on that issue.

Theory aside, neither federal nor provincial elections provide voters with a direct say on a specific issue. This absence of meaningful debate about issues goes a long way towards explaining the serious decline in voter turnout.

Other jurisdictions have found a remedy for this democratic deficit. Citizens in Switzerland, Italy, 23 U.S. states, New Zealand and British Columbia have the right to initiate a referendum on an issue of concern, by gathering the requisite number of signatures.

The referendum is held at the same time as a general election. Voters have more choice, voting for a party or candidate and then also have a direct say on an issue of concern.

Accountability is enhanced, because voters have ultimate control and politicians do not have a blank cheque like our MPs and MLAs. Specific topics can be debated independently of candidates, parties and leaders. In many jurisdictions, citizens' initiative works like a bumper on a car: you hope that you never have to use it, but you want it there just in case.

When the Legislature reconvenes November 13, MLAs will vote on the Citizens' Initiative Act, a private member Bill which would give Albertans the right to initiate and vote in referendums on provincial issues of concern.

An Environics poll of over 1,000 Albertans, commissioned by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation in September, revealed that 79% of Albertans want this legislation, with only 15% opposed and 6% undecided. Support was overwhelming in Calgary (80%), Edmonton (78%), and every city, town and region of Alberta. Yet Conservative MLAs defeated this legislation in 1994, 1996 and 1998.

Perhaps the MLAs were frightened by the prospect of chaos and confusion, as if Albertans would be put in charge of running health, finance and education on a day-to-day basis.

But anyone who reads this legislation would know how modest and moderate it is. Over 100,000 signatures would have to be collected - a number equivalent to 10% of those voting in the election in March.

The referendum would be held at the same time as a provincial election or province-wide municipal elections. If 60% of Albertans supported the proposal - including 60% in 55 out of 83 ridings - it would be introduced as a Bill in the Legislature. Then MLAs would accept, amend or reject it, like any other Bill.

No, MLAs are not worried about chaos and confusion. They are worried about more accountability, and losing their absolute control.

Heather Forsyth, Murray Smith and Mark Hlady are the only Calgary MLAs who voted for the Citizens' Initiative Act in the past.

But Calgary's 21 MLAs now have another opportunity to vote for what 80% of their constituents want: more accountability and more choice for voters.