A petition is a formal request to those in authority to take an action.

You can petition those elected to your local municipality, or a municipality where you own property.

County Council may be petitioned to:

  • hold a public meeting;
  • for a public vote on an advertised bylaw or resolution; or
  • for local improvements.

According to the Municipal Government Act (MGA), you cannot petition:

  • for a vote on proposed planning, development, and road closure bylaws and resolutions even though they are advertised;
  • for new bylaws or against existing bylaws or resolutions related to financial administration, assessment of property, taxation, planning and development, and intermunicipal collaboration; and
  • against necessary local sewer improvements and private connections to water and sewer improvements. 

What's required to petition
  1. Each page of the petition must contain an identical statement of the purpose of the petition. Each page must also contain an identical statement on the protection of personal information.
  2. The petition must include, for each petitioner:
    1. The printed surname and printed given names or initials of the petitioner;
    2. The signature of the petitioner;
    3. The street address of the petitioner (a “rural route” or “post office box” address is not sufficient), or the legal description of the land on which the petitioner lives, the petitioner's telephone number or e-mail address, if any; and
    4. The date on which the petitioner signs the petition.
  3. The signature of an adult witness must be included next to each petitioner's signature. Each witness must also take an affidavit that, to the best of the person's knowledge, the signatures witnessed are those of the persons entitled to sign the petitions. These witness affidavits must be included with the petition when filed with the CAO.
  4. Upon completion of the petitioning process, and prior to submission, a signed statement of the Representative of the Petitioners must be attached to the petition. The statement must state:
    1. That the person named in the statement is the representative of the petitioners; and
    2. That the council may direct any inquiries about the petition to the representative.

For more information and examples of the required forms please see the document Petition to Your Council from Alberta Municipal Affairs.