Citizens in Switzerland, Italy, 23 U.S. states, New Zealand and British Columbia already enjoy the right to initiate a referendum on an issue of concern, by gathering the required number of signatures. Albertans now also have a historic opportunity to benefit from greater accountability and more choice through the Citizens' Initiative Act. Sponsored by Conservative MLA Tony Abbott (Drayton Valley-Calmar), this bill would give Albertans the right to initiate and vote in referendums on a provincial issue of concern. The referendum would be held at the same time as a provincial election, or province-wide municipal elections.

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 intelligent 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.

Theory aside, neither federal nor provincial elections provide voters with a direct say on a specific issue. Elections are dominated by one big question: which leader/party should be Premier/government Nothing else really matters. Between elections, politicians can avoid topics they find uncomfortable, and can ignore their constituents on issues of concern. Lack of meaningful debate on issues goes a long way to explain the serious decline in voter turnout.

Citizen-initiated referendums improve accountability by giving voters more choice. 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. In Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington and other states, it has been used to keep tax-dollar-hungry governments in check.

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 direct democracy legislation in 1994, 1996 and 1998. Copies of MLA voting records are available from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation web site (www.taxpayer.com) and Edmonton office.

With the Legislature now back in session, MLAs will soon have another opportunity to vote for what 79% of their constituents want: more accountability and more choice for voters. If you have not done so already, call your MLA and ask her/him to vote in favour of this taxpayer-friendly legislation.