To become a candidate for any office in the Election, you must be: 

• at least 18 years of age
•  a Canadian citizen
• a resident of the City of Grande Prairie since March 22, 2025
• not otherwise ineligible or disqualified

Section 147.22 of the Local Authorities Election Act requires an individual who intends to be nominated or has been nominated to run for election in a local jurisdiction as a candidate to give written notice to the local jurisdiction before accepting a campaign contribution or incurring a campaign expense.  

Please Note: A notice of intent is separate from nomination forms and must be submitted for anyone intending to run as a candidate in the election. Once a candidate has submitted their notice of intent they are added to the Register of Candidates and can accept campaign contributions and incur campaign expenses. To become a nominated candidate and appear on the ballot, the candidate must complete the nomination process.

Please refer to the Local Authorities Election Act for further information.

 Notice of Intent Form

Once completed you can submit your notice of intent via:

Legislative & Executive Services will confirm receipt of the notice of intent and advise the potential candidate if additional information or amendments are necessary to deem it complete. 

Once complete and confirmed, the candidate will be added to the register at cityofgp.com/election

Note: If changes are made to your notice of intent after it has been submitted, please provide a written update.

The Candidate Information Package provides detailed information that applies to all candidates:

• Mayor & Councillor Candidate Information Package
• Candidate Information Package & Forms for Mayor or City Councillor 
  • Please note if you print the Nomination Paper (form 4) it must be printed double sided on legal sized paper (8.5"x14").

Note: Packages containing the Candidate Information Package and printed forms are available at City Hall.

Please note, candidate are now required to also submit a Notice of Intent in addition to their nomination papers. Please see the Notice of Intent section above.

Nomination  Submission Requirements

Nomination Papers must be completed and submitted in person by noon on September 22, 2025. Papers are to be signed by and submitted to the City's Returning Officer or Substitute Returning Officer.

A completed Nomination Paper must be: 

• printed on legal size paper 8.5 inches x 14 inches
• signed by a minimum of 25 eligible electors to vote in the Election and that reside in the City of Grande Prairie on the date of signing the Nomination Paper; 
• sworn (or affirm) the candidate’s acceptance on the Nomination Paper in the presence of the Returning Officer; and 
• accompanied by a deposit of one hundred dollars ($100.00). This deposit is payable by cash, by certified cheque, by money order, or by debit card or credit card to the “City of Grande Prairie”.  
• A completed Candidate Financial Information Form

In addition, candidates will be asked to complete a Consent for Disclosure of Personal Information Form to allow posting their contact information to the City’s website. This form is optional.

Nomination Papers 

• FORM 4 – Nomination Papers (Please print on legal size paper 8.5 x 14)
• FORM 5 - Candidate Financial Information Form 

As per the Local Authorities Election Act, Part 1, Section 27, both Form 4 &  Form 5 must be submitted together.
Note: Packages containing the Candidate Information Package and printed forms are available at City Hall.

• Prior to September 22 - please book an in-person appointment by emailing elections@cityofgp.com or calling 780-357-4969 or 780-357-4954.
• On September 22 - drop-by City Hall in the North Conference Room between 8:30 a.m. and noon.

Note: To facilitate a smooth submission, please review and confirm that:

• You are using the prescribed forms linked above
• All applicable fields are completed
• You have at least 25 signatures from eligible electors for the City of Grande Prairie
• All electors signing your nomination paper have provided:
  • Their full name
  • Their complete address (unit number (if applicable), house number, street name, City) and their postal code
  • A wet signature (not a digital signature)

Note: Prior to Nomination Day, the Returning Officer will confirm receipt of the Nomination Paper and witness your oath at the appointment. If time permits, the Returning Officer may also verify your Nomination Paper and confirm if it is complete and accepted. If the Returning Officer cannot confirm acceptance when you submit your papers, you will be informed within 3 business days of the status of your nomination. 

Note: On Nomination Day, the Returning Officer will confirm receipt of the Nomination Paper, witness your oath and confirm if your nomination paper is complete and accepted. You will be required to wait until verification and confirmation is completed.

The newly elected officials are required to attend mandatory Onboarding, Orientation and Training sessions.

Time commitments for onboarding, orientation and training may vary from one-hour sessions to full days. A detailed training schedule will be provided to the newly elected officials.

Onboarding, Orientation and Training – October 24-31, 2025

The first training session will be in the afternoon of October 24, following the posting of the official election results. The rest of the training sessions will be scheduled throughout the week of October 27-31.
Prior to being sworn into office, each Councillor (including the Mayor), must attend orientation training on the role of municipalities in Alberta; municipal organization and function; roles and responsibilities of council and councillors, the City’s Code of Conduct; roles and responsibilities of the City Manager and staff; and meeting protocols and the use of technology in Council Chambers.  Additional training prior to the first regular council meeting will include key municipal plans, policies and projects; budgeting and financial administration; and public participation.
The sessions that follow are key in introducing the newly elected officials to the organization. This includes understanding their new duties and requirements, more details on how the municipality is organized and administered, what services are provided, and how those services are delivered. This training may include tours of facilities and departments. 
The orientation and training are in compliance with the mandatory post-election training requirements of Municipal Affairs and the Municipal Government Act.

View the current Schedule of Council Meetings

Council attends meetings regularly throughout the year. All elected officials are expected and required to read, understand and discuss all Agenda items listed for debate at each of these meetings.
For previous Council Meetings, Agenda & Minutes, please click here. 
Please Note:  On average, each scheduled meeting averages 3 to 4 hours per meeting, however, meetings may run longer if required.

For a list of additional Meetings and Time Commitments required from elected officials, please refer to the Candidate Information Package.

City Council is responsible for advocating the needs and desires of City residents and stakeholders to both the Province of Alberta and the Federal Government. 
For the current City Council, Advocacy Priorities click here. 

The City of Grande Prairie’s City Understanding municipal finances is fundamental to the job of an elected official. Council members (elected officials) are expected to plan, govern, and set policy for the best interests of their community.
For further details on Strategic Planning and to view the current City Council Strategic Plan click here. 

The City of Grande Prairie administration works diligently every year in creating budgets. 
Financial planning and management are key to supporting a healthy municipality that can ensure that its current and future service commitments are funded in a sustainable manner.
View the City's current Capital and Operating Budget.

Please refer to the Council Remuneration and Expense Reimbursement Policy 100. 

On December 16, 2024 Council passed the Council Parental Leave Bylaw C-1481 and the amended Policy 100, which will be effective October 27, 2025.

In accordance with the Use of Public Lands Bylaw, election signs cannot be displayed or placed earlier than six (6) weeks prior to the day for the municipal election. 
Election signs may only be displayed in designated locations. 
For full requirements and considerations please refer to:

• Land Use Bylaw C-1260
• Use of Public Lands C-1078