Elections Alberta says separation referendum cost $84 million, nearly $50 million over budget
The agency told a legislature committee it needs the province to cover the rest, plus $9 million to prepare for next year's general election.
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Elections Alberta told a legislature committee on Thursday that last month's provincewide separation referendum cost about $84 million, nearly $50 million more than the agency's annual budget can cover. Chief electoral officer Gordon McClure said the agency needs the government to cover the remainder through additional funding, and the agency is asking for $9 million more to prepare for the general election it expects next year.
Most of the spending went to people. Roughly $26 million went to staff pay for counting more than 22 million ballots across the referendum's 10 questions. Chief administrative officer Steve Kaye told the committee that many staff worked 16-hour shifts or longer, and that his own longest shift was 22 hours. One employee developed appendicitis and delayed treatment.
"We have had our foot on the gas for a long time. People are tired, and we have some concerns going forward about being able to hire some of the people that have worked for us in the past," Kaye told the committee.
Elections Alberta says it can deliver the next general election on time.
How much of the $84 million is staff pay, and what covers the other roughly $58 million?
Will the province cover the shortfall, and if so, when?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
Ongoing coverage · Alberta Separatism Referendum Coverage
