Petitions are used to express public opinion to Council. Petitions that meet all legislative requirements can be used to compel Council to take action on a specific issue.

What can I Petition?

Petitions can be made in response to three different matters:

  • Bylaws – Electors may petition for a new bylaw, or to amend or repeal an existing bylaw or resolution subject to some limitations.
  • Advertised Bylaws and Resolutions – Electors may petition against advertised bylaws or resolutions.
  • Local Improvements – Ratepayers can petition for a local improvement. Property owners affected by a proposed local improvement can petition against the local improvement.

How do I petition?

A petition must be completed in a specific way in order to be valid. View detailed instructions on petitions from the Alberta Municipal Affairs website here.

The general requirements for a petition are:

  • A petition must be signed by the required number of petitioners.
  • Each page of the petition must contain an identical statement of purpose.
  • The petition must include, for each petitioner:
    • The printed surname and printed given names or initials of the petitioner;
    • The signature of the petitioner;
    • The street address of the petitioner or the legal description of the land on which the petitioner lives;
    • The petitioner's telephone number or email address, if any; and
    • The date on which the petitioner signs the petition.
  • Each signature must be witnessed by an adult person who must:
    • Sign opposite the signature of the petitioner; and
    • Take an affidavit that to the best of the person's knowledge the signatures witnessed are those of persons entitled to sign the petition.
  • The petition must have attached to it a signed statement of a person stating that:
    • The person is the representative of the petitioners, and
    • Who the municipality may direct any inquires about the petition to the representative.
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