Amendments made to the Recall Act contained in Bill 23: Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, which came into force April 16, 2026, included provisions for scrutineers during a recall petition verification process.
The recall petition applicant and the Member of the Legislative Assembly named in the recall petition may both, in writing, appoint one or more lawyers who are active members of The Law Society to act as a scrutineer during petition verification process, and are required to pay any costs of their scrutineers.
Elections Alberta will, after receiving the petition and signature sheets, advise the applicant and the Member the dates, times, and location of the petition verification process.
Scrutineers for the applicant and Member named may be present for the verification. Only one scrutineer each for the applicant and the Member may be present at the same time and scrutineers may perform their functions at more than one place, if applicable.
Scrutineers may observe the verification process in a manner that does not compromise its conduct including:
verification the canvasser witnessed the signatures and swore an affidavit that, to the best of their knowledge, individuals were eligible to sign the recall petition, and
the signatures contain the required information in written form and
the petition sheets have attached to them each witness affidavit.
Scrutineers may record, in writing, any information that in their opinion may be relevant to a judicial review.
Scrutineers must produce proof of their appointment before being admitted to the place where petition verification is being conducted.
The Chief Electoral Officer may designate where a scrutineer may observe the verification process.
No one may impede a scrutineer from performing their functions.
Scrutineers must maintain the confidentiality of all information that comes to their knowledge as a result of being a scrutineer, except in the case of a judicial review or other proceedings related to the Act.
Role and Responsibilities of Recall Petition Verification Scrutineers
As a Recall Petition Verification Scrutineer, I shall:
Comply with the legislation and the Code of Conduct;
Present a properly completed Appointment of Scrutineer to the Chief Electoral Officer prior to admittance to the place where the determination of validation is occurring;
Complete an Oath of Secrecy and keep confidential all information that is received as a result of being a scrutineer;
Familiarize myself with my rights and responsibilities under the law and act accordingly, after reading the Guide for Scrutineers;
Perform my duties with honesty and integrity and in a manner that is helpful, respectful, and courteous; and
Be guided at all times by the values of respect, integrity, and professionalism when dealing with service agents and colleagues.
As a Recall Petition Verification Scrutineer, I shall not:
Engage in any political campaigning or promotion for or against an initiative while performing my duties where the determination of a petition is being verified;
State, suggest or hold out that they are part of, endorsed by or represent, Elections Alberta;
Unduly interrupt the determination process;
Use cell phones, tablets, or laptops in the place where determination of an initiative is occurring;
Engage in harassing[1] or discriminatory[2] behaviour; or
Make abusive, derisive, threatening, insulting, offensive, or provocative statements or gestures to or about another person.
A scrutineer who fails to comply with this Code of Conduct will receive a written warning concerning their actions.
A scrutineer will be removed from the place where the determination of validation is taking place if, in the opinion of the Chief Electoral Officer, the scrutineer fails to comply with the Code of Conduct after receiving such a warning.
[1]Harassment is any conduct by an individual that is directed at and offensive to another person at the place where determination of an initiative is occurring, and that the individual knows or ought reasonably to know would cause offence or harm. It includes any objectionable act, comment, or display that demeans, belittles, or causes personal humiliation or embarrassment, or any act of intimidation or threat.
[2]Discrimination involves treating someone differently or unfairly because of a personal characteristic or distinction.
