Municipal election voters will be asked to choose Alberta nominees to the Canadian Senate on Oct. 18.
The provincial government has decided that besides voting for municipal councillors and trustees for Catholic or public school boards, Albertans will be deciding who would best serve with the Senate.
A total of 105 Canadians, including six from Alberta, are responsible for passing, amending or vetoing bills.
Bert Brown, a senator from Calgary, confirmed this week that senatorial elections are happening on municipal election day.
He is urging those who might want a shot at the Senate to begin the nomination process now.
Potential candidates must also have at least 1,500 signatures of Alberta supporters in order to get nominated.
They must also be at least 35 years old.
Someone who has made a name for themselves doing public service would probably make a good senator, Brown added.
“But it doesn’t restrict anybody who wants to run, as long as they are an Alberta resident and voter,” he said. “I’ve already had a number of people call me for advice.”
The top three candidates who receive the most votes from Albertans will become senators in waiting.
Under the Senatorial Election Act of Alberta, people can be elected as senators in waiting for up to six years.
If they are not appointed in that time, they have to run again.
Brown ended up running in three senatorial elections before he was appointed by the prime minister in 2007.
Currently, there are no vacancies for Alberta senators who would be appointed to the Senate, but the vote is still needed, said Brown.
“There will be three vacancies over the next six years,” he said.
Senators Tommy Banks and Joyce Fairbairn will be retiring, along with Brown who will be leaving his post in about three years time. Candidates must retire at 75.
The cost of adding senatorial elections on the municipal election ballot is minor compared with the cost of democracy, Brown added.
“I can tell you historically the cost is 10 per cent more than a regular election,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor in Council passes an order to commence an election and is responsible for setting a nomination day. Nominations would close four weeks before municipal election day.
For more information, call the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer at 780-427-7191.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com