'Serious issues and questions': Recall Gondek organizer frustrated with process, co-opt attempts
The man who started a movement to recall Calgary's mayor is concerned a lack of regulations around the petition could put personal information at risk.
Landon Johnston stands behind his efforts but is frustrated with the process and, now, attempts to co-opt his campaign.
He started a petition to remove Jyoti Gondek because he was frustrated with city hall but now he's feeling the same about the legislature.
"The minister knows I have some serious issues and questions with this," Johnston said.
Johnston says there are concerning gaps in the recall legislation the province introduced in 2021.
He suspects the petition with his name on it has been used by others for their political purposes or data gathering.
"I warned the privacy commissioner halfway through this project that the loophole is anyone can co-opt this petition for their own gain," he said.
"And I would rather die than have anybody's information on my watch be used for anything other than its intended purposes."
Now, Johnston is dealing with what appear to be attempts to co-opt his petition by something called Project YYC.
CTV News obtained a document naming high-profile Albertans who allegedly gave tens of thousands of dollars to its leadership and recall campaign team.
But people on that list say they have never heard of Project YYC and did not donate to it.
Including the wife of a major Calgary homebuilder:
"I don't make $50,000 donations to any political group," said Edith Wenzel, whose family started Shane Homes.
And David Parker, leader of the group Take Back Alberta (TBA).
"I have no involvement. I've never donated to them," Parker said.
"There are a lot of people who do not like me in this province and would love to see some kind of scandal."
The province introduced recall legislation with financing rules at the provincial level but not at the municipal level.
Johnston says he's contacted the province many times for help navigating the legislation but has never received a response.
He also says he has nothing to do with Project YYC and that he's spent about $1,500 of his own money and received another $3,000 from people to help put up lawn signs around the city.
"There's been whiffs of nefarious things and I've done absolutely everything I can to protect the sanctity of this petition," Johnston said.
Johnston says the number of names required is unrealistic because it's based on population and not voting age – people under 18 can't sign the petition – making it harder to secure the more than half a million signatures necessary.
He also has to collect them in person.
While some critics say it shouldn't be easy to recall your elected official, Johnston doesn't think it should be impossible either.
CTV News reached out to Ric McIver's office and received the following statement:
"As the minister of municipal affairs, it would be improper to intervene in an ongoing recall petition. We are reviewing the recall provisions, to explore opportunities to enhance accountability of elected officials and strengthen oversight."
CTV News also reached out to Project YYC but has not heard back.
**Johnston originally said he had no affiliation with Project YYC because he did not realize a group he is working with is, in fact, Project YYC.
He said the group he knew as Recall Gondek contacted him after he started his petition, saying they were planning to do the same and could work with him to get signatures.
He said he transferred $3,000 of donations and his own money to them to put up signs.
Johnston called CTV News on Friday to clarify when he realized the error by looking at a bank statement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland leaves capital gains tax change out of coming budget implementation bill, here's why
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Ontario woman surprised after 20-year-old fines suddenly tank credit score
An Ontario woman says that she was shocked when provincial fines from 20 years ago suddenly tanked her credit score last week, but the situation may not be as unusual as it seems, according to at least one debt expert.
Anger can harm your blood vessel function, study shows
Stress and anger can have a negative impact on cardiovascular health, studies have shown. New research points to just how the mechanism may work.
Avalanche eliminate Winnipeg Jets from playoffs with 6-3 road win
Mikko Rantanen's first two goals of the playoffs propelled the Colorado Avalanche to a 6-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday that clinched their opening-round playoff series in five games.
Protesters clash at UCLA after police clear pro-Palestinian demonstrators from Columbia University
Dueling groups of protesters clashed Wednesday at the University of California, Los Angeles, grappling in fistfights and shoving, kicking and using sticks to beat one another. Hours earlier, police carrying riot shields burst into a building at Columbia University that pro-Palestinian protesters took over and broke up a demonstration that had paralyzed the school while inspiring others.
Will an 'out of sight, out of mind' cellphone policy make a difference in Ontario schools?
Ontario’s cellphone ban in schools has been met with mixed reaction, with some teachers concerned about constant policing of kids and experts applauding the change as necessary for student learning.
WATCH Arnold Schwarzenegger spotted filming in Elora, Ont.
The name of the project has not been officially released although it’s widely believed to be the Netflix series FUBAR.
Poilievre kicked out of Commons after calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko'
Testy exchanges between the prime minister and his chief opponent ended with the Opposition leader and one of his MPs being ejected from the House of Commons on Tuesday -- and the rest of Conservative caucus walking out of the chamber in protest.
National strategy must recognize caregivers as 'backbone' of society: centre
Canadians need help looking after family members who are aging, sick or have disabilities, and many caregivers are seniors who need help themselves, says a new report calling for a national strategy that recognizes the mental and financial toll of the job.