There are many important rules for campaign financing that all candidates must follow.
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.
All candidates are required to submit the following information through a completed Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement (Form 26 - UPDATED):
- Total contributions received and expenses incurred
- 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)
- An itemized campaign expense report
- Transfers made to and received from a local political party, if the candidate is an endorsed member
Submit Your Completed Report
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, but the original, physical form and documents must be submitted at a later date.
2025 Disclosure Deadlines
There are 2 required disclosure statements for candidates:
- An interim campaign disclosure is due September 30, 2025. This statement covers the period from January 1, 2025 to July 31, 2025.
- The final campaign disclosure is due March 2, 2026 and covers the entire 2025 campaign.
Fines and Penalties
Candidates who do not meet legislated filing deadlines face an automatic fine of $500, and if the final 2025 statements remain outstanding more than 10 days, public reporting of non-compliance and potential ineligibility to run in subsequent elections.
Contribution Limits
- Candidates must submit their notice of intent before accepting campaign contributions or incurring expenses
| 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 submitted a notice of intent 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 a notice of intent are required to submit an interim and final Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement (Form 26) 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.
For the final 2025 statements, candidates will also have to calculate and report a campaign period surplus/deficit, and then resolve those in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act.
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.
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.
Candidates who have a campaign surplus or deficit after the election must deal with the difference within 60 days of filing their disclosure statement.
If the candidate has a surplus, any or all of the funds can be donated to a registered charity. If the surplus is less than $1,000, the candidate can retain all or any portion of that amount.
Candidates with a deficit are required to eliminate the deficit within 60 days of filing their disclosure statement (due on March 2, 2026). A candidate may accept contributions during this period to eliminate the deficit, or contribute up to $10,000 of their own funds.
An amended disclosure statement showing that the deficit or surplus has been dealt with must be filed within 30 days of the 60 day period.
Contact Us
Edmonton Elections
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Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: Closed
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Email elections@edmonton.ca
Phone 780-496-8008
Address 16304 114 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5M 3R8