Community Connection

The following is a message from Alberta Education Minister Jeff Johnson regarding a review of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA)...

To:      Public, Separate and Francophone School Board Chairs

School board elections are governed by the School Act and by the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), which prescribes the standards and processes for elections of municipal councils in Alberta.  The Government of Alberta has committed to conducting a review of the LAEA to ensure that this legislation continues to provide an effective framework to support secure, fair, and impartial elections.

A number of changes to the LAEA were made prior to the last general election in October 2010.  Since that time, municipalities and associations have provided Municipal Affairs with valuable feedback about the legislation.  A number of these suggestions clarify and improve the existing provisions and will be incorporated directly into the review.  However, several others have broad implications for the election process, and Municipal Affairs is inviting stakeholder and public input on various items relating to the LAEA via an online survey.  The news release regarding this consultation is attached and can also be found at http://alberta.ca/NewsFrame.cfm?ReleaseID=/acn/201206/32474DC40062A-961E-5A7F-A9A0134F2CF75111.html

Of particular note to school boards is the suggestion to change the term of office for elected officials from three to four years, as well as to change the time for a general election from fall to spring.  Your input on these suggestions is particularly appreciated.

This consultation will be conducted through a questionnaire posted on the Municipal Affairs website at http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/1774.cfm.  Each question gives a brief overview of the issue and asks for the respondent’s opinion about the suggested direction.  An additional area is provided in each question for any written comments.

Respondents will have the choice to complete the questionnaire as individuals or on behalf of an organization.  For your official response from a school board, please use the organization form, in which you will be asked to identify your board and contact information.

The preferred method of receiving input is through the questionnaire posted on the website.  However, the survey document will be available in printed form and can be submitted by mail, email or fax.  If you have questions or require technical assistance in completing the survey, please contact a municipal advisor.  The following contact information can be used for questions, requests or submissions:

Alberta Municipal Affairs

Municipal Services Branch

17^th Floor, 10155 – 102 Street

Edmonton, AB  T5J 4L4

Phone: 780-427-2225 (toll-free by first dialing 310-0000)

Fax: 780-422-9133

Email: lgsmail@gov.ab.ca

The deadline for input is July 31, 2012.  All input will be summarized and incorporated into the review as government considers further improvements to the LAEA.

This legislative review is the final forum for public discussion on improvements to the LAEA.  Your feedback in this review will be most valuable.  I encourage you and your colleagues to provide input and take part in this process.

Sincerely,

Jeff Johnson

Minister of Education

MLA, Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater

cc:        Public, Separate and Francophone School Board Superintendents