Calgary resident George Clark wants to see recent carbon pricing legislation in Alberta gone, or at least a plebiscite to see what Albertans think about it.
He is taking on the carbon tax as well as Bill 6, the new farm safety legislation, both of which came into effect after the New Year. He suggests there is a rich history of petitioning for plebiscites in Alberta and he is exercising his rights to do that.
Clark was at the Calnash Ag Event Centre Thursday, Jan. 28 collecting signatures with one volunteer bringing in more than 800 signatures.
Seeing that the call for plebiscite may not have much teeth legally, Clark decided to go through the petition process to put pressure on Lois Mitchell, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
“Not to force, but to make a very strong case with the ruling government,” said Clark.
Since he started, Clark said the response was so high that it shut down his email server. Now more than 2,500 people are looking for signatures.
“It truly has gone from a grassroots growth with very little money,” said Clark.
He feels the issue is a majority government voting in legislation that the majority of Albertans don’t agree with and Clark suggests the carbon tax is hurting businesses.
Another area where people may be misguided in understanding wind power is the power backups needed to ensure turbines continue to operate, said Clark. That, and the number of birds that are killed by the propellers is an area that Clark has concern.
Support has been strong with the people they have spoken with and Clark suggests the petition will express the will of the people. He has one request from Premier Rachel Notley.
“Govern to the majority of the wishes of Albertans please, not to the wishes of your majority government,” said Clark.
He expects to be done collecting names by the end of February and then will prepare it for counting and delivery. If the petition is not accepted, Clark intends to deliver it to Queen Elizabeth II.