· Order in Council / Citizen Initiative Amendment Regulation · in-force
Citizen initiative amendment regulation 2025
This Order in Council amends the Citizen Initiative Regulation, increasing the application fee for citizen initiatives from $500 to $25,000 and expanding financial reporting and contribution rules to earlier stages of the initiative proces…
What changed
- Increases the application fee for a citizen initiative from $500 to $25,000 (Section 2(a)).
- Modifies the conditions under which the Chief Electoral Officer may refund the application fee to a proponent (Section 2(b)).
- Expands the application of rules regarding contributions, expenses, and borrowing to include the notice of intent and application for issuance stages of an initiative (Sections 3-8, 10-18).
- Requires audited financial statements for proponents whose expenses exceed $350,000, specifying filing deadlines (Section 9).
- Redefines 'initiative petition expense' to encompass expenses incurred after the filing of a notice of intent (Section 10(1)).
Why it matters
- The substantial increase in the application fee creates a significant financial barrier for individuals or groups seeking to initiate citizen-led legislative processes.
- Extending financial reporting and contribution rules to earlier stages of the initiative process increases the administrative and compliance burden on proponents.
- These changes may reduce the accessibility and feasibility of citizen initiatives, potentially limiting public participation in direct democracy mechanisms.
- The Chief Electoral Officer's oversight of financial activities related to initiatives is broadened to cover earlier preparatory phases.
Other governance concerns
- Increased financial barrier to civic participation
- Expanded regulatory burden on citizen initiatives
- Potential impact on the ability of citizens to propose legislation
Primary sources (1)
- Primary sourceGovernment documentOrder in Council 394/2025 (Alberta King's Printer)