The application to start efforts to recall Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf has been approved by Alberta’s chief electoral officer.
Gordon McClure said the recall application met the requirements of the Recall Act. He issued written notice to applicant Ryan Tanner, Neudorf, Premier Danielle Smith and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Ric McIver.
In the recall petition, Tanner wrote that Neudorf should represent all residents in the riding, but added that recent votes “demonstrate a disconnect and his inability to meet the needs, desires and expectations” of constituents. He concluded that Lethbridge-East needs a representative who meets those responsibilities.
Signature gathering may begin Nov. 26 and runs to Feb. 23, with petitioners needing 13,207 valid names to trigger a recall election.
In a written response, Neudorf said he respects the democratic process and Albertans’ right to hold elected officials accountable. “However, recall legislation was designed for cases of serious misconduct, not policy disagreements,” he wrote. “I have consistently worked to represent Lethbridge-East with integrity, listening to diverse perspectives and making decisions in the best interest of our community and province.”
In comments to MyLethbridgeNow, Neudorf said he hears residents’ frustrations. As MLA, he said he works to represent the whole region in Edmonton.
“I think we’ve seen a huge amount of funding projects within Lethbridge in general, not just in Lethbridge-East. We’ve got two new schools on the west side, we have funding for water, wastewater treatment,” he said. “We’ve seen in the past funding for the airport and obviously exhibition and lots of great community things.”
Neudorf said Lethbridge as a community is “punching above the provincial average” when it comes to funding for mental health and addictions treatment, supportive housing and other key services.
Neudorf said that, while his top priority remains representing Lethbridge-East, he also serves as minister of affordability and utilities. He said recent legislative and regulatory changes have helped lower utility prices and stimulated economic growth in the region, including new data centres and other developments.
“As vice chair of Treasury Board, I work on government budgets,” Neudorf said. “I work on the committee that negotiates with the federal government to secure better and more fair treatment for Alberta in terms of investment. I also sit on numerous other committees.”
He acknowledged this work may not be visible in Lethbridge, but said it serves his constituents and their future interests.
Nuedorf is one of 14 United Conservative Party MLA’s facing recall efforts across the province.
MyLethbridgeNow has reached out to Ryan Tanner for comment.
