Campaign Guidelines

The campaign period is Oct. 31, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2025. Only candidates who have submitted their notice of intent and have been added to the Register of Candidates may accept campaign contributions or incur campaign expenses during this period.

Candidates must be aware of the rules around campaigning. Campaigning is generally permitted in virtual spaces and on private property; through election advertising and canvassing.

Important information about the proper dimensions, placement and use of election signage can be found on the Signage Regulations page and in the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Note: Any form of advertising (including election signs, buttons, t-shirts, cars with banners) and campaigning is not permitted within a voting station, or within the boundaries of the land on which the voting station is located during advance voting and on Election Day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I know before I put up election signs for the 2025 Election?
Details on when candidates are allowed to display Election signs for the 2025 Election may be displayed or placed from 12 p.m. (noon) on Nomination Day, Sept. 22, 2024. All election signs and support structures must be removed by 8 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2025 (72 hours after the close of polls on Election Day). Election signs do not require permits, but they must comply with all applicable federal and provincial legislation and any relevant municipal bylaws. Any form of advertising (including election signs, buttons, t-shirts, cars with banners), and campaigning is not permitted within a voting station or within the boundaries of the land on which the voting station is located. Prior to putting up any election signs, the candidate must provide the Municipality with name and contact information of the person responsible for the signs. Election Sign dimensions must not exceed: A sign height of 2 metres (approx. 6.5’); A sign width of 3 metres (approx. 9.8’); and a sign area of 3 square metres (approx. 4’ by 8’). Highways 63, 69 and 881 fall under Alberta Transportation jurisdiction. For election sign placement on provincial highway rights of way, please contact Alberta Transportation Fort McMurray District Office at 780-743-7376 or visit: https://www.alberta.ca/election-signs.aspx
Are there any recommended safety precautions when placing signs?
Election signs must follow all sign safety provisions: Must not obstruct or interfere with the orderly and safe movement of traffic or the sight lines required by vehicular or pedestrian traffic; Must not obstruct or interfere with the visibility or interpretation of any traffic signal, sign or device; Display lights that may be mistaken for the flashing lights customarily associated with police, fire, ambulance, and any other emergency vehicle or with danger. Imitate the wording of standard or commonly used traffic signs (i.e. stop, yield), symbols or characters which may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic. Candidates should adhere to all safety precautions to prevent driver distraction and to minimize the impact to the travelling public when transporting and installing signs: Reflective vests and bright clothing should be worn when placing election signs. Election signs should be installed during daylight hours. Vehicles should be parked as far as possible from the travel lanes and four-way hazard warning signals should also be utilized at all times. Before placing signs, click before you dig at www.albertaonecall.com If an election sign poses a risk to public safety, has material structure damage, or has been vandalized, the person responsible for the sign will be directed to remove or repair the sign. Any election sign that poses an immediate and substantial public safety risk, or has not been removed or repaired as directed, will be immediately removed without notice.
Am I permitted to use a ballot on my election signs or in my advertising?
Candidates are not permitted to use an image or likeness of the ballot in any of their advertising. The candidate’s name with an ‘X’ beside it, is not considered to be an image or likeness of the ballot.
Can I use any municipal or election logos on my election signs or in my advertising?
Municipal or election logos are not permitted to be used for election campaigns or any other purposes. These logos are reserved for official Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo business only.
Can a property owner have signs for more than one candidate?
Yes, a property owner may have signs for more than one candidate.
Who is responsible for signs placed on a property – the property owner or the campaign?
The campaign is responsible for signs placed on a property and prior to putting up any election signs, the candidate must provide the Municipality with name and contact information of the person responsible for the signs. Remember to get the owner’s permission before placing signs on private property. Election Signs that present a public safety concern, such as impeding sight lines for drivers, blocking roadways or obstructing a fire hydrant, will be removed, and may be disposed of without notice. Damaged signs need to be repaired or removed.
Am I permitted to place signs anywhere I like on public property or are there rules/ permissions required?
Signs are not permitted to be attached or affixed to any sign, utility pole, tree, fence or other fixture located on municipal property. Prior to putting up any election signs, the candidate must provide the Municipality with name and contact information of the person responsible for the signs. Advertising, including signs, and campaigning is not permitted within a voting station or within the boundaries of the land on which the building used as a voting station is located on an advance voting day or election day. Please note that Highway 63, 69, 881 fall under Alberta Transportation jurisdiction.
Are candidates permitted to purchase space for campaign advertising on the Municipal Transit System or places such as MacDonald Island?
No; political or campaign advertising, including paid advertising, is not permitted on any Municipal asset, including Municipally owned billboards, transit buses and shelters. The Regional Recreation Corporation does not permit political or campaign ads, including paid advertising, for their digital signage in any of their facilities, including Suncor Community Leisure Centre, Miskanaw Golf Club, Shell Place, Anzac Recreation Centre, Conklin Multiplex, Sonny Flett Aquatic Centre, Archie Simpson Arena, Syncrude Youth Centre and Mamawi Hall.
Will there be online candidate debates or forums? How are these organized? Can anyone host a debate?
The Municipality does not organize or participate in candidate debates or forums. Any individual or group may organize or host a candidate debate or forum.

What should I know before I put up election signs for the 2025 Election?

Details on when candidates are allowed to display
- Election signs for the 2025 Election may be displayed or placed from 12 p.m. (noon) on Nomination Day, Sept. 22, 2024.
- All election signs and support structures must be removed by 8 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2025 (72 hours after the close of polls on Election Day).

Election signs do not require permits, but they must comply with all applicable federal and provincial legislation and any relevant municipal bylaws.

Any form of advertising (including election signs, buttons, t-shirts, cars with banners), and campaigning is not permitted within a voting station or within the boundaries of the land on which the voting station is located.

Prior to putting up any election signs, the candidate must provide the Municipality with name and contact information of the person responsible for the signs.

Election Sign dimensions must not exceed:
- A sign height of 2 metres (approx. 6.5’); A sign width of 3 metres (approx. 9.8’); and a sign area of 3 square metres (approx. 4’ by 8’).
- Highways 63, 69 and 881 fall under Alberta Transportation jurisdiction. For election sign placement on provincial highway rights of way, please contact Alberta Transportation Fort McMurray District Office at 780-743-7376 or visit: https://www.alberta.ca/election-signs.aspx

Are there any recommended safety precautions when placing signs?

Election signs must follow all sign safety provisions:

Must not obstruct or interfere with the orderly and safe movement of traffic or the sight lines required by vehicular or pedestrian traffic;

Must not obstruct or interfere with the visibility or interpretation of any traffic signal, sign or device;

Display lights that may be mistaken for the flashing lights customarily associated with police, fire, ambulance, and any other emergency vehicle or with danger.

Imitate the wording of standard or commonly used traffic signs (i.e. stop, yield), symbols or characters which may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.

Candidates should adhere to all safety precautions to prevent driver distraction and to minimize the impact to the travelling public when transporting and installing signs:

Reflective vests and bright clothing should be worn when placing election signs.

Election signs should be installed during daylight hours.

Vehicles should be parked as far as possible from the travel lanes and four-way hazard warning signals should also be utilized at all times.

Before placing signs, click before you dig at www.albertaonecall.com

If an election sign poses a risk to public safety, has material structure damage, or has been vandalized, the person responsible for the sign will be directed to remove or repair the sign. Any election sign that poses an immediate and substantial public safety risk, or has not been removed or repaired as directed, will be immediately removed without notice.

Am I permitted to use a ballot on my election signs or in my advertising?

Candidates are not permitted to use an image or likeness of the ballot in any of their advertising.

The candidate’s name with an ‘X’ beside it, is not considered to be an image or likeness of the ballot.

Can I use any municipal or election logos on my election signs or in my advertising?

Municipal or election logos are not permitted to be used for election campaigns or any other purposes. These logos are reserved for official Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo business only.

Can a property owner have signs for more than one candidate?

Yes, a property owner may have signs for more than one candidate.

Who is responsible for signs placed on a property – the property owner or the campaign?

The campaign is responsible for signs placed on a property and prior to putting up any election signs, the candidate must provide the Municipality with name and contact information of the person responsible for the signs. Remember to get the owner’s permission before placing signs on private property.

Election Signs that present a public safety concern, such as impeding sight lines for drivers, blocking roadways or obstructing a fire hydrant, will be removed, and may be disposed of without notice.

Damaged signs need to be repaired or removed.

Am I permitted to place signs anywhere I like on public property or are there rules/ permissions required?

Signs are not permitted to be attached or affixed to any sign, utility pole, tree, fence or other fixture located on municipal property. Prior to putting up any election signs, the candidate must provide the Municipality with name and contact information of the person responsible for the signs.

Advertising, including signs, and campaigning is not permitted within a voting station or within the boundaries of the land on which the building used as a voting station is located on an advance voting day or election day.

Please note that Highway 63, 69, 881 fall under Alberta Transportation jurisdiction.

Are candidates permitted to purchase space for campaign advertising on the Municipal Transit System or places such as MacDonald Island?

No; political or campaign advertising, including paid advertising, is not permitted on any Municipal asset, including Municipally owned billboards, transit buses and shelters.

The Regional Recreation Corporation does not permit political or campaign ads, including paid advertising, for their digital signage in any of their facilities, including Suncor Community Leisure Centre, Miskanaw Golf Club, Shell Place, Anzac Recreation Centre, Conklin Multiplex, Sonny Flett Aquatic Centre, Archie Simpson Arena, Syncrude Youth Centre and Mamawi Hall.

Will there be online candidate debates or forums? How are these organized? Can anyone host a debate?

The Municipality does not organize or participate in candidate debates or forums. Any individual or group may organize or host a candidate debate or forum.