Alberta Court Rejects NDP Challenge to Voter List Restrictions
An Alberta judge dismissed a legal challenge by the NDP against government rules restricting voter information ahead of a provincial referendum on separation.
A Court of King’s Bench judge rejected a legal challenge by the New Democratic Party (NDP) against new government regulations that restrict the amount of voter information provided to political parties. Justice John Gill ruled that the United Conservative Party government acted within its authority to implement these temporary measures as a stopgap until formal legislation is tabled this fall.
The new policy directs Elections Alberta to provide only the number of registered voters per area and municipality, removing access to names, addresses, and phone numbers. The government implemented the change following an April 30 privacy breach in which the separatist Centurion Project improperly published the personal information of millions of Albertans. Justice Gill stated the regulation is consistent with the Election Act's purpose of preventing unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
The NDP argued the restrictions undermine the integrity of the October 19 provincial referendum on whether Alberta should consider leaving Canada and hinder pro-federalist outreach. NDP executive director Heth Wilson claimed the rules were a reaction to the party's recent byelection victory in Calgary-Shaw and were designed to benefit separatist interests. Premier Danielle Smith described the court challenge as a "shameful display," while Justice Minister Mickey Amery accused the NDP of acting for themselves rather than for Albertans. The NDP will not appeal the decision.
