Alberta Senate nominee election, 1989

The 1st Alberta Senate nominee election was held on October 16, 1989 in Alberta, canada. It was held in conjunction with Alberta municipal elections under the Local Authorities Election Act., and resulted in the first, and only, Canadian Senator appointed following a popular election.

In 1987, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and the provincial premiers unanimously agreed on the Meech Lake Accord, a constitutional amendment proposal. The main objective of the proposal was to make changes that would accommodate Quebec which had not agreed to the changes undertaken in the repatriation of the constitution in 1982.

Western Canadian premiers made senate reform their key demand. Although no formal agreement could be made on substantive reform, a compromise was reached. The Accord would amend the constitution to require the federal government to appoint senators from lists provided by the provinces, and require the future negotiations for substantive reforms.

In response, the Alberta government passed the Senatorial Selection Act in late 1987 which led to this election being held. Despite the failure of Meech Lake, and the subsequent Charlottetown Accord, Alberta continues to hold elections for Senate nominees as a protest.

The vote was held along municipal electoral boundaries, but conducted by Elections Alberta. Candidates were registered with provincial parties.

Stan Waters, nominated by the Reform Party, won the election, and was subsequently appointed to the Senate.

Candidates and results

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