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Alberta Government Bumps Citizen Petition Fees to $25K in Amendment

On Dec. 18, 2025, a cabinet order raised the application fee for citizen-initiated referendums to $25,000 from $500, enacted via an order-in-council by the Alberta government.
Earlier this year, the United Conservative Party lowered application thresholds and Justice Minister Mickey Amery's office said the fee rise aims to discourage 'frivolous applications' and protect Alberta taxpayers.
Applicants who meet reporting and signature rules will be refunded the $25,000 fee, and proponents get 30 days to raise funds once Alberta's Chief Elections Officer approves the question.
Four citizen-initiated petitions have been submitted this year, and Elections Alberta said Corb Lund's coal-mining petition will have a grace period with the fee waived if filed by Jan. 11.
Critics warned the fee hike could curb citizen action, with Alberta NDP and Irfan Sabir saying it will `stifle democratic action`, while Mitch Sylvestre called the move logical and organizers of the approved independence referendum remain exempt.

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Alberta Increases Fee for Citizen-Initiated Referendums to $25,000 After Flood of Recall Petitions

The Alberta government is hiking the cost to apply for a citizen-initiated referendum to $25,000 in an effort to discourage “frivolous” applicants and ensure only those who are “serious” apply. The fee increase comes amid a recent wave of recall petitions in Alberta targeting Premier Danielle Smith, several cabinet ministers, and United Conservative Party (UCP) MLAs. “Increasing the citizen initiative petition application fee set out in the Citi…

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