PSA – Legislative changes to the Local Authorities Elections Act take effect

Legislative changes affecting municipal council and school board elections introduced by the Alberta Government through Bill 20 Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, as well as regulations made under the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) related to local political parties, slates and expense limits take effect today. Changes to the legislation include, among others:

· Individuals who intend to incur campaign expenses, or receive campaign contributions in anticipation of being nominated are required to file a notice with Elections Calgary;
· Updated candidate campaign contribution rules and expense limits;
· The introduction of local political parties and slates and associated finance rules;
· Updated third party advertising contribution rules; and
· Changes to the administration of election processes [e.g., tabulators, special (mail-in) ballots, voter identification requirements].

Individuals who intend to incur campaign expenses, or receive campaign contributions in anticipation of being nominated as a candidate in the 2025 Calgary Catholic School Board by-election and/or the October 20, 2025 General Election are required to include the following in their notice to Elections Calgary:

(1) The full name, address and contact information of the individual,
(2) The address of the place or places where records of the individual are maintained and of the place to which communications may be addressed,
(3) The names and addresses of the financial institutions to be used by or on behalf of the individual as depositories for campaign contributions made to that individual, and
(4) The names of the signing authorities for each depository referred to in (3).

There is no prescribed form, or format to be used for giving notice to Elections Calgary. Notice to Elections Calgary may be submitted by: Email to:

Mail to:
Attention Elections Calgary, Mailcode #207
P.O. Box 2100, Station ‘M’
Calgary, AB T2P 2M5

In person, by appointment: Monday to Friday (holidays excluded), 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2nd floor, 2340 22 Street N.E., Calgary To make an appointment, contact candidates@calgary.ca or 403-476-4100, selection 3.

Elections Calgary’s website is in the process of being updated to reflect recent legislative changes. Please check www.electionscalgary.ca regularly for details.

In the interim, candidate, third party advertiser, local political party and slate inquiries may be directed to candidates@calgary.ca or 403-476-4100, selection 3 or to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs: ma.advisory@gov.ab.ca or toll free: 310-0000.

Elections Calgary is a division of the City Clerk’s Office responsible for independently and impartially administering the Returning Officer’s accountabilities in General Elections, by-elections and votes of the electors on behalf of The City of Calgary, the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District. Learn more at electionscalgary.ca.

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