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Review Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Volume 48, Issue 48
Celebrating 99 years young Five more provincial recall petitions approved including one for local MLA Jackie Lovely
LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely was recently named in a Recall Petition, approved by Elections Alberta. Above, Lovely and Premier Danielle Smith during a visit to Hardisty this past spring.
Leslie Cholowsky Staff Reporter
Since last week’s notification of nine current recall petitions gathering signatures in various constituencies in the province, five more were approved mid-week, including a petition to remove Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely. Lovely is included with a group of Glenn Van Dijken (AthabascaBarrhead-Westlock), Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities, and MLA for Lethbridge-East, Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South, and Searle Turton, MLA for Spruce GroveStony Plain. A minimum number of signatures is required for each petition to be considered, equal to 60 per cent of the total votes cast in the most recent election. For Van Dijken, that means, 12,719. For Lovely, 12,391; for Neudorf, 13,207; Stephan, 14,508; and 15,189 for Turton. Petitioners have until Feb. 23 to collect the required number of signatures. Lovely’s Notice of Recall Petition,
filed by Theressa Hill, accuses Lovely of “prioritizing party loyalty over the needs and voices of her constituents.” Hill says, “Many people state that MLA Lovely’s office has been unresponsive to their inquiries and concerns.” Education was also brought up, with Hill saying, “Despite repeated concerns from parents, teachers, and school boards, MLA Lovely has not publicly advocated for increased funding or meaningful reform. Constituents voice frustration that MLA Lovely has not stood up against provincial cuts to healthcare, libraries, and rural community programs.” Many of the MLA’s targeted are calling these petitions an attack on the governing UCP party. Hill’s statement supports that, when she says, “As a member of the UCP, Jackie Lovely has supported legislation and budget decisions that many consider harmful to public education, healthcare, and workers [sic] rights.” Lovely’s response to the recall peti-
tion launched is as follows: “Serving the people of the Camrose Constituency is a responsibility I take seriously. “I stand by every vote I have cast in the Legislature, each reflecting the priorities and values of the families, farmers, students, and business owners in our community. “My office works diligently to respond to residents, meet with constituents, and provide accurate information. “This summer, I completed my thirteenth round of door knocking across the constituency to listen directly to local concerns. “To suggest that I have been unresponsive is simply incorrect. I remain fully committed to being accessible, accountable, and engaged with the Albertans I represent.” Statements from the other petition applicants mirror Hill’s complaints, calling their respective MLA’s “unresponsive to constituents,” “inability to meet the needs, desires, and expecta-
tions of those he represents,” “failure to prioritize the interests of [his constituents],” and “lack of engagement with constituents and disregard for their needs.” Stephan’s Notice of Recall Petition’s applicant goes a step farther, accusing the MLA of “supporting a separatist agenda,” saying also that he has “disdain for French speakers.” All five MLA’s have filed a Member Statement. Van Dijken says it’s been his honour to represent AthabascaBarrhead-Westlock since 2015. Neudorf argues that recall legislation was designed for cases of serious misconduct, “not policy disagreements,” adding that he has worked to represent his constituency “with integrity, listening to diverse perspectives and making decisions in the best interest of our community and province.” Stephan took a bold stand in his statement, saying, “This petition for recall will fail.” He cites his role in improvements for Red Deer, including Continued on Page 9