Municipal leaders take on an important leadership role in our community. The professional and life skills as well as experience of municipal leaders help shape policy and decision making for our region. There is a significant time commitment involved.
Candidate Information Sessions:
Online information sessions were hosted in June by RMWB Returning Officer Darlene Soucy. The first virtual information session was held on June 16 and focused on nominations. A second session was held on Wednesday, June 23 on the topic of campaigning.
June 23 Session (recorded) Campaigning
Detailed information resources
- Candidate Guide to Municipal Elections
- Municipal Affairs website
- 2021-2025 Council – Post Election Event Calendar
Key Election Dates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Local Authorities Election Act changes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In December 2018, Bill 23 – An Act to Renew Local Government in Alberta was passed and in July 2020, Bill 29 – Local Authorities Election Amendment Act, was passed. Both acts made changes to how municipal elections are conducted in Alberta.
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This information is intended to assist potential candidates for the October 18, 2021 election, has no legislative sanction and is not inclusive of all the information related to the office of Mayor and Councillor, election procedures and election legislation. It is not a substitute for legal advice. It is recommended that you obtain a copy of the Local Authorities Election Act and other relevant legislation.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to read and understand all legislation concerning elections and to seek legal and accounting advice from professionals or to contact Municipal Affairs regarding required provincial legislation.
Campaign Financing
The Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) Part 5.1 requires campaign finance and contribution disclosure for all candidates running for municipal and school board office and governs contributions, expenses, fund-raising, accounting obligations, surpluses, and deficits.
All official candidates, including those who withdrew their candidacy, in the 2021 Municipal and School Board Election must complete and submit Form 26 – Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement as required by Section 147.4 of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) on or before March 1, 2022 to their local jurisdiction office.
Candidates for Municipal Office must file their Form 26 with the Municipality, and candidates for School Board Trustee must file their Form 26 with their respective School Board Offices. All Campaign Disclosure Statements and Financial Statements and supporting documents are public documents.
For further information on completing and submitting Form 26, please refer to the How to Guide Form 26 – Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement.
Please also review a Sample Form that may assist candidates.
Campaign Disclosure forms/guides
Form 26 – Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement
How to Guide Form 26 – Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement.
Frequently asked questions
Who can contribute to my election campaign? | ||||||||||||
A contribution is any money, personal property, real property or service that is given to a candidate to support their campaign.
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Is there an age limit for people making contributions? | ||||||||||||
The Local Authorities Election Act, which governs municipal and school board elections in Alberta, does not legislate an age requirement for campaign contributions. Only individuals who ordinarily reside in Alberta can contribute to a campaign. | ||||||||||||
Are businesses able to share our campaign information such as having flyers in their window, or sharing our page on social media? | ||||||||||||
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Many external contractors to the Municipality would sponsor a candidate by giving him/money in return for a favour back such a contract or something like that. Is that allowed by the elections policy? | ||||||||||||
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Do I need to issue receipts? | ||||||||||||
Candidates are required to issue receipts for every contribution accepted and retain receipts for every expense incurred.
Receipts issued for contributions of personal property, real property or services, must be for the fair market value of that contribution.
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Can I have a fundraising event for my campaign? Can candidates host a joint fundraising event? | ||||||||||||
Candidates are permitted to host fundraising functions and the donation portion of the fundraising contributions is subject to contribution limits and disclosure requirements. Candidates must record the gross income from any fundraising function held on behalf of the candidate. If the fundraising event is a ticketed event, the candidate has the option of calculating the contribution amount in one of two ways:
Specific questions on the Local Authorities Election Act, and the interpretation of legislation such as hosting joint fundraising events, should be directed to Alberta Municipal Affairs at 780-427-2225 Toll Free 310-0000 before the phone number. It is the candidate’s responsibility to read and understand all legislation concerning elections and to seek legal and accounting advice from professionals or to contact Municipal Affairs regarding requirements under provincial legislation |
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What are the allowable campaign expenses? Is there a limit? | ||||||||||||
A campaign expense is any expense incurred by the candidate’s campaign to directly promote a candidate and currently there is no provincial regulation limiting the expense amount. The following election campaign expenses are permitted under the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA):
Note: A review engagement (review of the financial statements by a chartered accountant) is required to be filed with the candidate’s disclosure statement if more than $50,000 is received or spent. |
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As a candidate, can I hire campaign staff? Can family members serve in these roles? | ||||||||||||
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I've never run in an election before. How much would a campaign cost? | ||||||||||||
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Do I need to file a Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement? | ||||||||||||
And the candidate must disclose:
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What do I do if I have a surplus? Can I use it to recoup personal expenses with receipts? | ||||||||||||
Note: A review engagement (review of the financial statements by a chartered accountant) is required to be filed with the candidate’s disclosure statement if more than $50,000 is received or spent. |
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What do I do if I have a deficit? | ||||||||||||
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Are the candidates for council or mayor allow to receive funds from the public? if so, are those funds received publicly released? | ||||||||||||
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When a councillor candidate accepts funds from a sponsor, wouldn't it be like a conflict of interest? | ||||||||||||
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