Elections Alberta gets extra $6.7-million to handle surge in recall petitions

A legislative committee unanimously signed off on the funding during a meeting Friday.

Alberta election officials are getting an extra $6.7 million to handle the sudden outburst of recall petitions against legislature members.

A legislative committee unanimously signed off on the funding during a meeting Friday.

It comes a week after chief electoral officer Gordon McClure advised more money was needed to manage the “unprecedented spike” in recall petitions.

McClure’s office has issued 21 recall petitions since the end of October. All but one are against members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative caucus, including the premier herself.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith facing recall petition

McClure told the committee last week that verifying each petition would cost just o