For Third Parties

Rules for Third-Party Advertisers 

Third-Party Advertisers must comply with Part 8 of the Local Authorities Election Act and the advertising guidelines for local elections established by Municipal Affairs. 

Third-party advertisers cannot: 

• Be affiliated with any candidates

• Collude or cooperate with candidates 

• Be a registered charity or publicly funded body, including health agency, post-secondary institutions and municipality 

Financing 

There are 2 required deadlines for registered third-party advertisers to file a report on advertising contributions and election advertising returns: 

• An interim advertising return is due September 30, 2025. This return covers the period from May 1, 2025, to July 31, 2025. 

• A final 2025 election advertising report is due March 1, 2026, and covers the entire 2025 election advertising period. 

All third-party advertisers are required to submit information through a completed Third Party Advertising Contribution Statement (Form 28): 

• A financial statement 

• Advertising expense limit report 

• A detailed list of contributions above $250 

• An itemized list of all relevant advertisements 

• Any related supporting information and documents 

All statements must be signed by the third-party advertiser’s registered Chief Financial Officer and must disclose all donations, whether financial or in-kind service or item: 

• Total contributions of $250 or less 

• Total contributions over $250 

• Names and addresses of contributors of more than $250 

Completed forms can be submitted by email to elections@rmwb.ca or in person to RMWB Elections, 9909 Franklin Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2K4.  

Disclosure of Third-Party Advertisers will be publicly available and published on the RMWB website.  Addresses of contributors will be removed.

Penalties for Not Filing 

Third-party advertisers who fail to file a disclosure statement on time will pay a late filing fee of $500 to RMWB Elections. Failure to pay this fee or continued non-compliance with the filing requirements may lead to additional penalties.

These differences are defined by the Local Authorities Election Act: 

• A campaign contribution is made directly to nominated candidate’s campaign by an individual, a group or corporation who lives and operates in Alberta.

• Advertising contributions are made directly to a third-party advertiser by individuals, groups or corporations who reside or operate in Alberta.