Nicolaides pushes back against recall campaign

UCP MLA members are facing recall campaigns due to legislation they passed

A provincial cabinet minister is now fighting back against a recall petition aimed at removing him from office.

But Demetrios Nicolaides isn’t the only UCP politician being targeted for recall with legislation his own government brought in.

Political scientists are watching how the government handles this growing discontent.

Alberta’s Minister of Education and Childcare is considered the highest profile UCP MLA to be targeted by recall legislation.

If the applicant collects 16,000 signatures by January or 60 per cen of the total votes cast when Demetrios Nicolaides won in 2023, then a by-election would be called.

Now, Nicolaides is pushing back, launching a counter-recall campaign.

“We sent a note to supporters,” Nicolaides said, “to encourage them to volunteer to help out. I have ben getting a lot of emails from people asking ‘do you have a lawn sign I can put up to show support?’”

Nicolaides said lawn signs aren’t likely with a limited budget, but he is seeking help on the ground with door knocking.

“I think that that’s important,” Nicolaides said. “I think constituents need both sides of the coin and need all of the available information to make an informed decision.”

The recall petition has support of teachers and labour leaders frustrated by the province’s handling of the labour dispute that ended with teachers being ordered back to work through the use of the notwithstanding clause.

Now the Alberta Federation of labour plans to boost recall campaigns against other UCP MLAs.

“The UCP is spooked by recall initiatives and citizen initiative campaigns,” said Gil McGowan, the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour.

In an open letter Airdrie East MLA Angela Pitt claimed the applicant behind her recall petition is misusing his public position as a school principal.

Nicolaides says the application against him is flawed, as it lacks evidence of an ethical or legal breach.

Still, Nicolaides isn’t calling for the recall legislation itself to be recalled.

Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi says he would.

“If you’re going to pass the law, be the government and pass the law you have got to fund it,” Nenshi said. “The fact they refuse to give Elections Alberta the money to manage the recalls is shocking and should make every Albertan angry.”

Political watchers say there may be trouble for the UCP for not providing the $13 million requested by Election Alberta to manage all the citizen initiative petitions -- or if it moves to amend recall legislation despite previously championing it.

“They now look like they are not willing to follow through on the promise of being able to have your voice heard between elections,” said MRU political scientist Lori Williams. “There may be a broader political price for this government to pay.”

A UCP-led committee only approved slightly less than $1.5 million requested by Elections Alberta.

The deadline for the submission of signatures to recall Demetrios Nicolaides is Jan. 21.