Please Note: Candidates must submit their notice of intent before accepting campaign contributions or incurring expenses.
Candidates must become familiar with Part 5.1 Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure of the Local Authorities Election Act
Contributions
- During the campaign period, candidates can raise funds to support their election campaigns.
- A bank account must be opened in the candidate's name once contributions total more than $1,000.
Note: The $1,000 threshold does include any monetary contributions by the candidate for their own campaign.
Contribution Limits
| Municipal Candidates | School Board Candidates | |
|---|---|---|
| Candidate - Self-Finance | $10,000 per campaign period | $10,000 per campaign period |
| Individuals | $5,000 per year in the aggregate to all candidates in the municipality | $5,000 per year in the aggregate to all candidates in each division |
| Corporation, Trade Union or Employee Organization | $5,000 per campaign period in the aggregate to all candidates in the municipality | $5,000 per campaign period in the aggregate to all candidates in each division |
Campaign Spending
A candidate can use contribution funds to pay for campaign expenses.
Candidates are responsible to ensure that funds within the campaign bank account are utilized only for campaign-specific purposes.
Spending Limits
The Government of Alberta sets spending limits for all candidates.
Candidates cannot spend more than the spending limit specified by the Government of Alberta.
- The Expense Limit Regulations outline the limits to campaign expenses.
- The Alberta Affairs Population List lists the City of Grande Prairie as having a population of 70,385.
- Candidates for Mayor or Councillor have an expense limit of $70,385.
Note: School board trustee candidates are not subject to campaign expense limits.
Campaign Disclosure Statements
On or before March 1 of each year, a candidate who submitted a Notice of Intent in the previous year must file with the Returning Officer a Disclosure Statement (Form 26).
On or before September 30 of a year in which a general election is to be held, a candidate who has received contributions in the period beginning in January 1 and ending on July 31 of that year must file a disclosure statement in respect of that period.
Please Note: The Local Authorities Election Act section 147.7 imposes a $500.00 late filing fee on any candidate who does not meet the deadline.
Campaign Disclosure Statements
The material on this page is the City’s understanding of the meaning of the legislation. This summary is not intended to replace the candidate’s responsibility for reading and understanding the legislation, or to seek appropriate legal or accounting advice from professionals as required. The candidate is responsible for ensuring that their campaign complies with all provincial laws.