Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney says recall legislation being misused

The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.

Jason Kenney gave the remarks in an interview Thursday as the party he helped create — the United Conservatives — has 14 of its caucus members facing recall petitions from angry citizens using the legislation he crafted when he was Alberta's first UCP premier.

"My government purposely set very high thresholds," Kenney said. "Frankly, we replicated the thresholds developed in British Columbia in 1991 under an NDP government to ensure there's a really broad public demand for a byelection.

"We have it as an ultimate tool of accountability if a politician does something absolu