EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today called upon the Klein government to introduce legislation in the 2002 Spring Session to give Albertans the right to initiate and vote in referendums. Several private member's bills were not voted on before the end of the Fall Session, including the Citizens' Initiative Act (Bill 211). Sponsored by Conservative MLA Tony Abbott (Drayton Valley-Calmar), the Citizens' Initiative Act would give Albertans the ability to petition for the holding of a referendum on a provincial issue, by collecting 100,000 signatures. The referendum would be held at the same time as a provincial election, or province-wide municipal elections. Citizens in Switzerland, Italy, 23 U.S. states, New Zealand and British Columbia have the right to initiate and vote in referendums on issues of concern.

An Environics poll of over 1,000 Albertans, commissioned by the CTF in September, revealed that 79% of Albertans want this legislation, with only 15% opposed and 6% undecided.

Premier Klein stated "we need practical approaches to issues such as recall, referenda, plebiscites, and other ways to increase accountability" at the United Alternative convention in Ottawa in 1999.

"What could be more practical than legislation to increase accountability in Alberta " asked CTF-Alberta director John Carpay. "More accountability is something that all governments stand to benefit from, and this legislation is a practical way to provide it," he added.

In a letter to Premier Klein, Carpay wrote:

"On behalf of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, and on behalf of the 79% of Albertans who support legislation enabling citizens to initiate and vote in referendums, I ask your Government to introduce citizens' initiative legislation, as a Government Bill, in the 2002 Spring Session of the Legislature."