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Alberta's top election official denied raise despite growing workload and record demands

He manages more recall petitions than ever, yet earns less than his predecessor. Why Alberta's legislature said no to a 3% raise for its overworked election chief.

The image shows a black and white photo of a piece of paper with a wax seal on it. The text on the...
The image shows a black and white photo of a piece of paper with a wax seal on it. The text on the paper reads "title upper canada land petitions 1763-1865 - mikan number 205131 - microform c-1763".

Alberta's top election official denied raise despite growing workload and record demands

Gordon McClure, Alberta’s chief electoral officer, has faced an unusually heavy workload since taking office in 2024. His role has included managing recall petitions, referendum drives, and preparations for upcoming votes. Despite this, his pay remains below that of his predecessor—even after requesting a modest increase. McClure was appointed in 2024 with a starting salary of 75 per cent of his predecessor’s earnings. His 2024 compensation totalled over $138,000, with an additional $33,000 in benefits. Despite this, he earns less than the previous officer did.

Over the past year, McClure has overseen more than two dozen recall petitions and referendum campaigns. He has also handled legislative updates and election preparations. Citing the growing demands of the job, he requested a three per cent pay rise. The proposal went before a legislature committee dominated by United Conservative Party members. After review, the majority voted against the raise. Even with the requested increase, McClure’s salary would still have fallen short of his predecessor’s pay.

The decision leaves McClure’s salary unchanged for now. His responsibilities, however, continue to expand as Alberta prepares for future referendums and elections. The committee’s rejection means his compensation will remain at its current level.

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