Alberta Legislation Targets Citizen Initiatives and AI Deepfakes

Alberta's government has introduced Bill 23, which amends existing laws regarding citizen initiatives and bans the creation and distribution of misleading deepfake media. Justice Minister Mickey Amery announced the bill on March 30, 2026, aiming to prevent citizen-led initiatives from starting or continuing within 12 months before or after general elections. This legislation also seeks to enhance the verification process for petitions by allowing scrutineers appointed by the justice minister and petition organizers. The bill proposes to keep successful petition signature sheets for two years instead of one and aims to address the growing concern over deepfake technology potentially misleading voters. The changes are not retroactive, meaning current petitions will not be affected. The legislation is part of a broader effort to regulate election-related activities and maintain electoral integrity in Alberta.

Key Points: • Bill 23 prohibits citizen initiatives from starting or continuing 12 months before and after elections. • The legislation bans the creation and distribution of misleading deepfake media at all times. • Current citizen initiative efforts will not be impacted by the new rules if passed.