Calgary Makes History with First-Ever Recall Petition Approval

Calgary is at the centre of a groundbreaking democratic event. Yesterday, October 23, 2025, Alberta's Chief Electoral Officer, Gordon McClure, approved the province's first-ever recall petition under the Recall Act, targeting Calgary-Bow MLA and Minister of Education, Demetrios Nicolaides. This decision marks a pivotal moment for local accountability, handing Calgarians a direct and powerful new tool in the legislative process.

The Recall Act, first enacted in June 2021 and updated with amendments this past July 4, 2025, allows eligible voters to initiate a process that could remove an MLA from office between elections. For residents of Calgary-Bow, this means they now have the ability to directly influence their representation, ensuring elected officials remain responsive to their constituents' concerns. This resonates deeply in a city celebrated for its robust civic engagement and active community participation.

The petition, filed by Jennifer Yeremiy, states that Minister Nicolaides' record demonstrates a "clear failure to support public education," citing concerns over increased funding for private schools while public education faces challenges like overcrowding and insufficient resources. Nicolaides has countered, arguing that the recall process should not be used for policy disagreements but rather for breaches of public trust or dereliction of duty, and that this petition targets the governing party. To advance, the petition requires roughly 16,000 signatures—60 percent of the votes cast in the last election—within three months.

Should enough valid signatures be collected, it would trigger a constituency-wide recall vote, and if successful, a by-election for Calgary-Bow. This process sets a significant legal precedent, propelling Calgarians into uncharted territory as they exercise this newly empowered form of direct democracy.