What is a Petition?

A petition is a formal request to Council for:

• an action to be taken
• express public opinion to Council.

What can I petition?

Petitions can be made in response to three different matters:

1. Bylaws - Electors may petition for a new bylaw, or a bylaw to amend or repeal an existing bylaw.
2. Advertised Bylaws and Resolutions - Electors may petition against advertised bylaws or resolutions.
3. Local Improvements - Ratepayers can petition for a local improvement. Property owners affected by a proposed local improvement can petition against the local improvement.

How do I petition?

A petition must be completed in a specific way in order to be valid.  For detailed instructions visit the Alberta Government's Petition information for electors web page.

The general requirements are:

1. Each page of the petition must contain an identical statement of purpose.
2. The petition must include, for each petitioner:
   • the printed surname and printed given names or initials of the petitioner;
   • the signature of the petitioner;
   • the street address of the petitioner or the legal description of the land on which the petitioner lives (a “Rural Route” or Post Office Box” address is not sufficient);
   • the date on which the petitioner signs the petition; and
3. Each signature must be witnessed by an adult person who must:
   • sign opposite the signature of the petitioner; and
   • take an affidavit that to the best of the person’s knowledge the signatures witnessed are those of persons entitled to sign the petition.
4. The petition must have attached to it a signed statement of a person stating that:
   • the person is the representative of the petitioners, and
   • the municipality may direct any inquiries about the petition to Municipal Affairs.