There are many important rules for campaign financing that all candidates must follow.
Submit Contributions and Expenses by March 3, 2025
Candidates who submitted their notice of intent in 2024 must submit their 2024 campaign contributions and expenses by March 3, 2025 to avoid a fine and potential disqualification.
Disclosure Requirements
Candidate reports must include the following information:
- For contributions:
- Total contributions of $50 or less
- Detailed list of contributions above $50
- Total contributed out of candidate’s own funds
- Net amount raised from fundraising events
- Total amount of other revenue (for example, sale of goods)
- For expenses:
- An itemized list of all campaign expenses incurred over the course of the year
Local political parties and third-party advertisers will need to submit accounts by March 2026.
Submitting Reports
When submitting campaign finance reports, please use the legislated Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement (Form 26) and provide a physical copy of the documents.
- Form 26: Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement (fillable)
- Form 26: Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement (automated calculations)
Completed forms can be submitted:
By mail:
Edmonton Elections
16304 114 Avenue NW
Edmonton AB T5M 3R8
In person: dropped off at the Edmonton Elections office during office hours (9am-4pm, Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays)
You can email the form to elections@edmonton.ca to meet the March 3 deadline, but the original, physical form and documents must be submitted at a later date.
Fines and Penalties
Consequences for candidates who do not meet the March 3, 2025 deadline, include:
- An automatic fine of $500
- Public reporting of the non-compliance if the form remains outstanding 10 days after the deadline
- Ineligibility to run in the 2025 Edmonton Election if the form is not submitted by midnight on March 13, 2025
The Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement must include all campaign contributions and expenses from 2024.
Filed Campaign Disclosure Statements
Filed Campaign Disclosure Statements are published online by the Edmonton Elections in accordance with the Local Authorities Elections Act. Residential addresses of the candidate, official agent, and contributors are redacted.
2024 Campaign Disclosure Statements will be published after March 13, 2025.
Contribution Limits
- Candidates must submit their notice of intent before accepting campaign contributions or incurring expenses
- A bank account must be opened in the candidate's name once contributions total more than $1,000
| Municipal Candidates | School Board Candidates | |
|---|---|---|
| Candidate - Self-finance | $10,000 per campaign period | $10,000 per campaign period |
| Individuals | $5,000 per year to all candidates in the municipality | $5,000 per year to all candidates in each division |
| Corporation, trade union or employee organization | $5,000 per campaign period to all candidates in the municipality | $5,000 per campaign period to all candidates in each division |
Expense Limits
- Expense limits are based on the city’s population at the start of the campaign period
- Visit as the Alberta government's website for more information
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026-2027 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate - Mayor | $505,449.50 | $1,010,899 | $0 |
| Candidate - Councillor | $42,120.79 | $84,241.58 | $0 |
Note: School board trustee candidates are not subject to campaign expense limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
All candidates who gave their notice of intent in 2024 must submit a Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement - even if they did not accept any contributions or incur any expenses.
All candidates who have submitted their notice of intent are required to submit a Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement (Form 26) annually. Candidates must disclose total contributions received and expenses incurred, names and addresses of each individual who contributed more than $50, as well as an itemized list of campaign expenses. There is no specific format required for the list of expenses but Form 26 must be submitted to capture contribution and expense totals.
Candidates with contributions or expenses of $50,000 or more must submit a review engagement by a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with their disclosure statement.
Yes. A redacted version of your Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement, with addresses removed, will be posted for public access on Filed Campaign Disclosures.
Yes. If the fundraising event is a ticketed event, candidates can use one of two ways to calculate contributions from ticket sales:
- Determine the difference between the cost of the ticket and the value of the goods or services provided to the attendee
- Use a percentage of the ticket cost, based on the chart below.
| Cost of Ticket | Expense | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $50 *not considered a contributor unless contributor requests as such | 50% | 50% |
| $50.01 - $100 | up to $25 | The balance |
| $100.01 or more | Up to 25% | Minimum of 75% |
In addition, candidates must issue receipts for contributions received at fundraising events.
A contribution is defined by the Local Authorities Elections Act as any money, property or service that is provided to the candidate or for the benefit of a candidate’s election campaign. It does not include services that are provided voluntarily.
An expense is a cost incurred by the candidate, whether paid or unpaid.
Contact Us
Edmonton Elections
Office Hours
Monday to Friday: 9am-4pm
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: Closed
Email elections@edmonton.ca
Phone 780-496-8008
Address 16304 114 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5M 3R8