Information for Candidates

The Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, made changes to two pieces of municipal-related legislation: the Local Authorities Elections Act (LAEA), and the Municipal Government Act (MGA). This legislation came into force on October 31, 2024, and is applicable for the 2025 Election.

The LAEA establishes the framework for the conduct of elections in Alberta municipalities, school divisions, irrigation districts, and Metis Settlements. The MGA establishes the rules governing the conduct of local elected officials once on council, as well as the overall administration and operation of municipal authorities in Alberta. Please click the links above to learn more about these important updates. 

For the most recent changes to the legislation, please review the Municipal Affairs Changes to the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) 2024-2025.

Prospective candidates for the 2025 municipal election must submit a Notice of Intent to Run before accepting campaign contributions or incurring campaign expenses.

Submitting a Notice of Intent does not replace the nomination process, nor does it mean you are officially nominated or will appear on the ballot.

Is submitting a Notice of Intent to Run the same as submitting nomination forms? 
No, submitting a notice of intent is just the first step. It doesn’t mean you’re nominated or will be on the ballot. Once accepted and added to the Register of Candidates, you can start accepting campaign contributions and expenses. To officially be on the ballot, you must complete the nomination process between January 1 and September 22, 2025.

What Happens After Filing a Notice of Intent?

• Your name will be added to the Register of Candidates, a public record on the City’s website.
• You can begin accepting campaign contributions and incurring campaign expenses.

Candidates must adhere to election finance rules outlined in Part 5.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act and the Expense Limits Regulation.

If there are changes to the information provided in the Notice of Intent, candidates must notify the Election Office within 48 hours.

How to File a Notice of Intent to Run

A Notice of Intent can be submitted anytime during the campaign period. Your Notice of Intent must include:

• Full name and residential address (including postal code).
• Contact information (email, phone number, or alternate address if different from above).
• Address where records are maintained, and communications may be addressed.
• Name and address of the financial institution(s) used for campaign contributions.
• Names of signing authorities for the campaign account.
• Note: A deposit is not required to file a Notice of Intent to Run.

Learn How to File a Notice of Intent

Download a Notice of Intent Form

Submit Your Notice of Intent

1. By Email: Send your written notice to elections@fortsask.ca 
2. By Mail:
   City of Fort Saskatchewan
   Attn: Legislative Services
   10005 102 Street
   Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 2C5

The Election Office will confirm receipt of your Notice of Intent within three business days and notify you if any additional information is required.

Nomination Period

• Opens: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
• Closes: Monday, September 22, 2025, at 12:00 pm

Nomination Information

Starting January 2, 2025, Candidate Nomination forms will be accepted in-person at City Hall during regular business hours. You are encouraged to contact the Returning Officer at 780-992-6200 or email elections@fortsask.ca to schedule a date and time to submit the nomination forms. You can also mail or courier the nomination forms to the address below, attention to the Returning Officer, Fort Sask Elections.

City of Fort Saskatchewan
Attn: Returning Officer, Fort Sask Elections
10005 102 Street
Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 2C5

If you want to be nominated in the 2025 Municipal Election in Fort Saskatchewan, review the Candidate Nomination Package and complete the required forms.

Download the Nomination Package

Nomination Forms

• Form 4: Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance
• Form 5: Candidate Financial Information
• Candidate Consent Disclosure Form

Download the Candidate Information Package

You can access an online version or purchase physical copies of the Local Authorities Election Act by contacting Alberta’s Kings Printer.

Alberta Municipal Affairs has prepared a guide for potential Candidates: A Candidate's Guide - Running for Local Elected Office in Alberta.

City Bylaws, Policies, and Guides

• C22-24: Elections Bylaw
• C7-19: Election Signage Bylaw
• Election Campaign Provisions Policy (GOV-012-C)
• Council and Administration Communication Protocol Policy (GOV-026-C)

Municipal Affairs Resources

• Alberta Municipal Affairs municipal election website
• What Every Councillor Needs to Know: A Council Member’s Handbook (2025)

Other Resources

• Alberta Municipalities – Running for Municipal Office
• Local Authorities Election Act
• Municipal Government Act

On or before September 30 of the year in which a general election is to be held, Candidates who received contributions in the period beginning on January 1 and ending on July 31 of the year in which a general election is held, must file a disclosure statement in respect of that period.

Part 5.1 Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) outlines the requirements, limitations, and acceptance of contributions.

Filed Campaign Disclosure Statements are publicly available on the City’s website in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act. Personal information including the residential address of the candidate, official agent, and contributors are redacted.

Please use the legislated Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement (Form 26) and submit to the Elections office at City Hall.

City of Fort Saskatchewan
Att: Elections Office
10005 102 Street
Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 2C5

Late Filing

Candidates that do not file a Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement (Form 26) by the deadline must pay a late filing fee of $500.00 to the City of Fort Saskatchewan, in accordance with Section 147.7 of the Local Authorities Election Act.

• If the late filing fee is not paid within 30 days after the date the fee was payable, notification will be sent to the candidate indicating the amount of the late filing fee that is required to be paid.
• If the candidate fails to pay the late filing fee, the City of Fort Saskatchewan may file a copy of the notice with the clerk of the Court of King’s Bench, and, on being filed, the notice has the same force and effect that may be enforced as if it were a judgement of the Court.
• If a Candidate fails to file a Campaign Disclosure Statement as required by the LAEA, a report will be presented to Council and will be made available on the City’s website.

If you have any questions, or would like to make an appointment to drop off the form, please contact our Elections office at 780-992-6200 or email: elections@fortsask.ca.