01/26/2026
The interview that myself and other recall organizers did last week has come out in the Edmonton Journal. Per FB rules, I cannot link it, but the content is below,
**As I stated in the article... it is easy to blame this on unions and the orange boogeyman. The part from our interview that was not included is that for every self-identified NDP voter signing, we are seeing at least one self-identified conservative voter signing as well. Even if we don't make the goal number, their own arrogance is going to be the politically fatal error that these UCP MLAs make. Discounting this as just a fringe leftist sentiment once again shows how much they are out of touch and unwilling to listen.**
REMAINING ALBERTA MLA RECALL CAMPAIGNS CITE LACK OF AWARENESS, FEARS OF RETALIATION
After the first of more than two dozen recall efforts came up short last week, organizers of the remaining petitions against Alberta MLAs say misconceptions about the process and fears of retaliation are obstacles to overcome.
The petition seeking to recall Calgary-Bow MLA Demetrios Nicolaides fell well short of the needed signature count of over 16,000, while 25 other recall campaigns continue on, with all but two for governing United Conservative Party MLAs.
Postmedia contacted all of those campaigns, and received 13 responses, with most indicating one of the main difficulties faced was lack of public awareness about how the recall process works.“It has been exhausting trying to inform people of what actually happens,” wrote Debbie Harris, applicant for the campaign to recall Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA Ron Wiebe. “Many people think if the recall petition is successful, the NDP are automatically going to be elected.”
‘Absolutely a vote against’
In fact, should the signature threshold be met, a “yes” or “no” vote on recalling a MLA would be held. Majority support for a recall would prompt the removal of the MLA and a future by-election.
“It is grassroots. There are no big political parties, funding, signage, and information, all of our efforts are funded by a small group of volunteers,” wrote Melissa Craig, the applicant seeking to recall Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney, while also noting the distinct dynamic of the recall process.“Unlike an official vote, this isn’t a private mark on a ballot, made behind a screen and put into a box without anyone else ever knowing how you chose. And, though this isn’t a vote for a particular party or person, it is absolutely a vote against.”
Oana Uritescu, who is seeking to recall Speaker and Calgary-Hays MLA Ric McIver, pointed to a lack of consistent media coverage as a factor in the public’s lack of awareness. “This is not a fringe issue, nor is it a minor one. It deserves more than a brief mention every few months.”
Not ‘shortcut to trigger a new election’
Postmedia sought comment from the premier’s office and received a statement from Chief Government Whip Justin Wright, himself the target of a recall campaign. “Recalls should be reserved for breaches of public trust, ethical violations, or sustained neglect of local duty, not as a shortcut to trigger a new election over political differences – and the results of this campaign suggest most Albertans agree.”
In a year-end interview last November, Premier Danielle Smith said the recall petitions were “essentially trying to overthrow the results of the last election.”
“I don’t think we ever expected that activists would be messing with our democracy.”
‘Personal and economic risk’
Mona O’Neill, the applicant seeking to recall Children and Family Services Minister Searle Turton, said in an interview she disputes the characterization that the recall campaigns are the work of, or only appeal to, union members or government opponents.
“It’s far more nuanced than anybody realizes,” O’Neill said in an interview, describing herself as being raised in rural Alberta by a pair of conservative-voting parents.
“It’s really easy to blame this on unions and the orange boogeyman. It’s a lot more difficult to reconcile that there are conservative voters in this province who are looking at this and saying, ‘this is not conservatism.'”
She said remarks from Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally in November where he publicly, and falsely, claimed the applicant behind a petition seeking to recall him did not vote in the last election have led some to reconsider signing a petition. “There was no repercussion,” she said of Nally’s remarks.
Other applicants said some have declined to sign their petition due to fear of personal or professional retribution. O’Neill said she has given canvassers lanyards with attached whistles should they find themselves in a threatening situation.
“I have many messages of encouragement from residents who tell me they are afraid for people to know they support the recall, so they are unable to positively react or share our posts online, but to keep fighting the good fight on their behalf,” wrote Casey Klein, the applicant seeking to recall Grande Prairie MLA Nolan Dyck.
“Residents want to participate, but they are weighing civic engagement against personal and economic risk.”
Some applicants said that businesses hosting petition signing events have been review-bombed, while some canvassers say they have had more personal incidents.
“I’ve been yelled at, told ‘I hope you freeze to death,’ assaulted, and, the really radical people are trying to get me fired from my job as well as destroy my business where I live,” wrote Theressa Hill, the applicant seeking to recall Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely.
‘People want accountability, transparency’
Postmedia inquired with each applicant about the likelihood of their campaign succeeding, though not all answered that question.
The campaign to recall Advanced Education Minister Myles McDougall told Postmedia it is making good progress and is “optimistic we will reach our goal.”
Holly Turnbull, the applicant seeking to recall MLA Wright, described the community response as “strong, and at times, deeply affirming” and stated she believes the campaign will meet its required signature count. “People want accountability, transparency, and a government that listens.”
The campaign to recall former cabinet minister and outgoing Calgary-Shaw MLA Rebecca Schulz says it is awaiting Election Alberta’s advice on how her resignation affects its petition.
‘Opportunity to support dialogue’
Others were less optimistic, with applicant Joshua Eberhart telling media he does not expect his effort to recall MLA Nally to succeed.
Nicole Green, the applicant seeking to recall Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan, said her campaign still has over half the required number of signatures still to collect with about five weeks remaining to do so.
The next signature deadline is Feb. 3 for a recall petition of Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt. Applicant Derek Keenan also said he anticipates coming up short but that the campaign was still worth the effort.
“Even if we are not successful, this has been a great opportunity to support dialogue in this province that the government does not seem interested in.”
Craig echoed those thoughts relative to her own campaign to recall MLA Sawhney.
“This process gave me a purpose, it has given me back a bit of faith in Albertans, and it has made me feel like I have done everything I could to stand up for people,” she said.
“I am a bit disappointed that we may not make the quota for signatures … but at least I can say I did everything I possibly could to take a stand. And, I would do it all again.”
