$28 million set aside for Elections Alberta

WATCH ABOVE: An interim supply bill tabled this week shows the government is earmarking $28 million for the chief electoral officer.

EDMONTON – As speculation grows surrounding a spring election, an interim supply bill tabled this week shows the Alberta government is earmarking $28 million for the chief electoral officer.

Tuesday, Premier Jim Prentice was asked exactly why the government is seeking that funding.

“I’ll let you speculate on that,” he said with a chuckle.

“I think it’s important that the chief electoral officer be properly funded.”

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According to the director of election operations for Elections Alberta, the $28 million is the amount Elections Alberta requested in its annual budget submission to the Standing Committee on legislative offices earlier this year.

“The all party committee approved our budget and it is awaiting approval once the overall government budget is presented to the legislature later this month,” explained Drew Westwater.

“The interim amount is to cover the period April 1 to June 30, 2015.

“It reflects the amount of money we require to finance our office and to conduct a provincial general election across Alberta should a writ of election be issued prior to the legislated period of March 1 to May 31, 2016.

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“If no election writ is issued during this three-month period in 2015, the monies will remain unspent and returned to the province,” added Westwater.

The 2012 election cost Alberta taxpayers about $13.5 million.

“The premier said he hasn’t decided whether or not there’s going to be an election,” said Wildrose MLA Shayne Saskiw. “Clearly they’re allocating $28 million and it’s for an election.”

“If there’s a true fiscal crunch right now, why spend $28 million on an unnecessary election? The premier has a full mandate to do as he pleases, yet he’s calling this illegal and unnecessary election.”

Elections Alberta said the $28 million would cover the cost of running its office and conduct an election if one is called early.

“We have expanded the training programs to include training for all polling day officials. We have added the cost of using vote tabulator units at all advance poll locations and providing voter assist terminals for disabled electors in all Returning Offices during the Advance polls.”