After a flurry of recall petitions against Alberta politicians filed late last year, Elections Alberta has approved two new applications, the first of 2026.

The applications name Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie, leader of the Progressive Tory Party, and NDP MLA Marie Renaud, who represents St. Albert.

Elections Alberta approved both on March 6. The campaigns have until June 10 to gather the requisite signatures to trigger a recall vote — the equivalent of 60 per cent of the total number of votes cast in their respective constituencies in the last provincial election.

For Guthrie, that would equate to 18,171 signatures; for Renaud, 15,502.

These latest bids come as the majority of recall petitions launched in 2025 have already failed, including ones against Premier Danielle Smith and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides.

Guthrie, Renaud respond

As part of the recall petition process, both MLAs have provided written responses to Elections Alberta.

“Alberta’s recall legislation provides citizens with the right to initiate a petition if they choose. I respect that process and wish Mr. Martini well in exercising his rights under the law,” Guthrie wrote in his response.

Lawrence Martini is the applicant behind the recall petition for Guthrie.

Lilo Forsyth applied for the bid against Renaud, focusing largely on her stance on education.

“The constituents of St. Albert have been very clear that accessible public education is vitally important to them,” Renaud responded. “I will endeavor to do all I can in my role as MLA for St. Albert to ensure every student has access to quality public education regardless of their race, religion, ability, or gender.”