Election Finances

LAEA s.147.1(1)(a) A "campaign expense" is an expense a candidate makes in the course of a campaign for election. This includes any an expense incurred, or non-monetary contribution received, by a candidate to the extent that the property or service that the expense was incurred for, or that was received as a non-monetary contribution, is used to directly promote or oppose and candidate during a campaign period. Campaign expenses include:

• the production of advertising or promotional material,
• the distribution, broadcast, or publication of advertising or promotional material in any media or by any other means during a campaign period, including by the use of a capital asset,
• the payment of remuneration and expenses to or on behalf of a person for the person's services as a chief financial officer or in any other capacity,
• securing a meeting place, or
• the conduct of opinion polls, survey, or research during a campaign period. 

The Expense Limits Regulation came into force on October 31, 2024.

• Mayoral and councillor candidates may spend up to $1 per person based on the population of the municipality, or $20,000, whichever is greater. 

LAEA s.147(4) Candidates may choose to entirely self-fund their campaigns up to a maximum of $10,000.

After a person files a Notice of Intent or Nomination Papers in the campaign period, the person officially becomes a candidate and may accept contributions.

• Contributions made by and individual ordinarily resident in Alberta may not exceed $5,000 in the aggregate to all candidates in a municipality during the campaign period.
• Contributions made by corporations other than prohibited organizations, by an Alberta trade union or by an Alberta employee organization also may not exceed $5,000 in the aggregate to all candidates in a municipality during the campaign period. 

A candidate must issue a receipt for every contribution received. For contributions over $50, the name and address of the contributor must be recorded. This information is required in the campaign disclosure statements submitted after the election.

This post contains only a high level overview of campaign contribution legislation. Candidates and contributors are required to understand all of their obligations under the Local Authorities Election Act.  For more information:

• A Candidate's Guide: Running for Local Elected Office in Alberta
• Local Authorities Election Act

A candidate must open a bank account in their own name or in the name of the campaign

• at the time they submit a Notice of Intent or Nomination Papers

OR

• as soon as possible after the total amount of contributions first exceeds $1,000, including money from the candidate's own funds.

Money in the account may only be used for the payment of campaign expense.

All campaign records of contributions and expenses must be kept for a minimum of three years following election day.

All candidates must submit a campaign disclosure statement and financial statement to the municipality on or before March 1 immediately following the general election even if they had no contributions or expenses. The campaign disclosure statement must be filed whether or not the candidate was elected.

To download Form 26 Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement, visit https://www.alberta.ca/municipal-election-forms.

2021 Submissions

All candidates from the 2021 general election filed statements before the deadline. Copies of the statements are posted below. Personal addresses of individuals have been removed to protect their privacy in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you wish to review the original statements please contact the municipal clerk at municipal.clerk@canmore.ca.  

• Campaign Disclosures and Financial Statements 2021 Municipal Election

The Alberta Election Commissioner may investigate any matter that may constitute an offence under Part 5.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act.