Organizers need more than 15,000 signatures to recall Minister Sigurdson
An effort to recall Alberta’s agriculture and irrigation minister is in the fifth stage of the seven-stage process.
As of Nov. 25, 2025, organizers in Minister RJ Sigurdson’s riding of Highwood have 90 days – until Monday, February 3, 2026 – to collect the required number of signatures – 15,788 – to recall him as an MLA.
Six canvassers are yet to collect any signatures, a website tracking the minister’s recall says.
In total, canvassers are collecting signatures against nine MLAs.
Recalling Sigurdson is part of a larger movement called Operation Total Recall which aims to recall the MLAs who supported using the notwithstanding clause to force teachers back to work in October.
Since then, the provincial government proposed using the notwithstanding clause again.
“Bill 9 would invoke the notwithstanding clause to protect and support children, students, parents and female athletes,” the Alberta government says.
Elections Alberta approved the recall paperwork against Minister Sigurdson on Nov. 14, to which the minister had until Nov. 21 to respond.
His response letter states his decision to support the notwithstanding clause was necessary to get students back in class, and that he is engaged with his community despite what others say.
“I remain fully committed to listening to and representing all constituents, and I regularly respond to community concerns through meetings, emails, attending events and public forums,” his letter says. “The recall petition's claim that I do not engage with constituents is simply not accurate. My priority continues to be the well-being and future of our children, community and my Ministerial duty to farmers."
Once the 90-day signature gathering window ends, Elections Alberta will review the petition.
If the petition is successful, the Lieutenant Governor orders a recall vote.
An MLA is recalled and no longer an elected official if more than 50 per cent of his or her constituents vote in favour of the MLA being recalled.
At that point, a by-election is called in the riding.
If the petition fails, organizers can’t simply restart the process.
“Only one recall application for a member can be issued during the member’s term unless the recall petition process is terminated due to death, incapacitation, or withdrawal of the applicant,” Elections Alberta says.
Alberta and B.C. are the only provinces with current laws allowing recalls.
No MLA in either province has ever been recalled.