Edmonton's mayor and councillors are fuming over new provincial legislation that will put a $5,000 cap on donations to municipal election campaigns and require candidates to disclose the names of donors who give more than $100.
Mayor Stephen Mandel called the law "an affront to my political morality" and an "absolute slap in the face to cities."
"City of Edmonton has a proper and adequate way to account for our expenses," he said. "It's not perfect but neither is the federal or provincial way, I'll tell you that.
"They did this because certain areas in the province have no accountability. Well, deal with them. Don't deal with us."
The private member's bill was passed by the legislature this week and is awaiting proclamation.
But it was pushed through the legislature without any consultation with municipalities, Coun. Karen Leibovici said.
"If they wanted to give it first reading and then send it out to discuss with AUMA [Alberta Urban Municipalities Association] and municipalities across this province that would have been the way to go. It's almost an insult," she said.
Coun. Ron Hayter also spoke out against the legislation.
"We've got to point out that this master-servant attitude prevalent in this motion is not acceptable."
Currently there are no funding caps for campaign donations. The city has had its own rule requiring candidates to disclose the names of people who donate $300 or more.
On Wednesday, council decided Mandel should write a letter to the province and point out what they call a double standard for municipalities and the provincial government.
