How to Petition the Legislative Assembly of Alberta

Petitions address the Legislative Assembly as a whole rather than specific groups or individuals such as the government, a political party or an MLA. In the parliamentary sense the government refers only to those in cabinet, or Executive Council, headed by the Premier.

Petitions use language that is moderate but direct, does not criticize, abuse or insult.

Petitions must be submitted in paper or hard copy. Each page of a petition, including both sides of a double-sided page, must include the petition prayer, signature(s) from Alberta residents and a notice of public disclosure, which states that all of the information contained in the petition will become publicly accessible on presentation to the Assembly. Pages that do not comply with the above requirements may not be presented to the Legislative Assembly.

A Request (or “Prayer”)

Petitions clearly state a request that the Legislative Assembly either take or refrain from taking a certain action. This is often referred to as the petition prayer. The prayer may request only that which is within the power and authority of the Assembly.

Examples

• We, the undersigned residents of Alberta, petition the Legislative Assembly to pass legislation that will __________.
  
  
• We, the undersigned residents of Alberta, petition the Legislative Assembly to urge the government of Alberta to introduce legislation to ____________.
  
  
• We, the undersigned residents of Alberta, petition the Legislative Assembly to urge the government of Alberta to inform the federal government that ____________.

Original Signatures

Petitions include the names, addresses and signatures of those who support the petition prayer. The signatures must be from Alberta residents and originals, not stamped, photocopied or digital. A petition must include at least one signature.

Notice of Public Disclosure

All petitions must notify the undersigned that their personal information is made public if the petition is presented to the Legislative Assembly.

A petition must not contain debate or argument and should avoid untrue, misleading or contentious statements, particularly as a means to predetermine the requested remedy.

Petitions address the Assembly and must ask for a remedy that is within its power. A matter under the administration of another level of government must be addressed to the federal, provincial, municipal, territorial or Indigenous government with appropriate jurisdiction. Certain matters that are the responsibility of a municipal government may be referred to in a petition’s prayer if the prayer establishes a direct connection with the Legislative Assembly or a program or service of the government of Alberta.

Recommended approaches:

• Request the passing of a Bill as opposed to the making of a law. The Legislative Assembly may be asked to pass a Bill but not to make a law, as making a law requires the Legislative Assembly to pass a Bill and the Lieutenant Governor to provide royal assent to the Bill.
  
  
• Ask the Assembly to urge the government to do something if government action is desired. While it is not within the Legislative Assembly’s power to direct the executive branch of government, the Legislative Assembly can urge the executive branch to act or govern in a certain way. This principle applies to Ministers and ministries and to all other levels or branches of government.

A petition may not request a direct expenditure or charge on public revenue. It may not request increased funding for existing government programs or funding for the creation of new government programs.

Recommended approach:

• A petition may request that the Legislative Assembly urge the government of Alberta to consider increasing funding for a government program or ask for relief from a burdensome situation that requires funds. A petition can seek a reduction of an expenditure with respect to an existing government program or request that an existing program increase its efficiency or change focus.