Information for Candidates

To be eligible as a municipal candidate, you must meet certain requirements under the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) s. 21(1), including that on nomination day you:

• are at least 18 years old,
• are a Canadian citizen,
• have been a resident of the Town of Peace River for six consecutive months preceding Nomination Day, and
• are not otherwise ineligible or disqualified. 

Under section 22(1) of the LAEA there is certain criteria that may make you ineligible to be a candidate in a municipal election, which includes, but is not limited to:

• you are the auditor of the municipality
• you are an employee of the municipality (unless the employee takes a leave of absence) 
• you are in default of your taxes equal to or exceeding $50 (excluding indebtedness on current taxes and indebtedness for arrears of taxes for which you have entered into an agreement with the municipality, providing you are not in default of that agreement)
• you are in default for any other debt to the municipality equal to or exceeding $500 for more than 90 days
• you have been convicted of an offence under the Local Authorities Election Act, the Election Act, Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act, or the Canada Elections Act within the previous 10 years.
• You are employed by the Office of the Ombudsman, unless you take a leave of absence.
• If
  • A report was submitted under section 147.8(1) of the LAEA regarding yourself
  • The Court did not dispense with or extend the time for compliance with section 147.4 of the LAEA
  • Nomination day falls within the 8-year period following the day on which the secretary presented the report to council or transmitted the report to the school board, or where the disclosure statement required by section 147.4 has been filed with the secretary, the 3-year period following the day of filing, whichever period expires first.
• You use or spend contributions in contravention of section 147.23 of the LAEA

For a full review of what can impact your nomination eligibility, please see the LAEA or contact the Town’s returning officer. 

Please Note:

It is your responsibility to ensure you are fully aware of all the nomination requirements and to comply with them. It is not the returning officer’s responsibility to review the validity of the information contained in the candidate’s nomination paper. That responsibility lies with the Courts if the candidate's nomination or election is challenged. Under the Criminal Code, it is an offense to make a false affidavit, punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment. You are advised to obtain legal advice if necessary.

The Municipal Government Act (MGA) is the second largest piece of legislation in Alberta, governing all municipalities from summer villages, towns, and counties to large cities. 

While there are many pieces of legislation a municipality is governed by and must adhere to, the MGA is the overarching legislation that regulates the operations of a municipality and dictates much what a municipality may or may not do. 

Municipal councils may make policy and bylaw decisions that enhance or compliment the MGA, but cannot make decisions that are contradictory.

The MGA can be found online here: Municipal Government Act

Under section 153 of the MGA, all Councillors have the following duties:

• 153 Councillors have the following duties: 
  • (a) to consider the welfare and interests of the municipality as a whole and to bring to council’s attention anything that would promote the welfare or interests of the municipality;
  • (a.1) to promote an integrated and strategic approach to intermunicipal land use planning and service delivery with neighbouring municipalities; 
  • (b) to participate generally in developing and evaluating the policies and programs of the municipality; 
  • (c) to participate in council meetings and council committee meetings and meetings of other bodies to which they are appointed by the council; 
  • (d) to obtain information about the operation or administration of the municipality from the chief administrative officer or a person designated by the chief administrative officer; 
  • (e) to keep in confidence matters discussed in private at a council or council committee meeting until discussed at a meeting held in public; 
  • (e.1) to adhere to the code of conduct established by the council under section 146.1(1); 
  • (f) to perform any other duty or function imposed on councillors by this or any other enactment or by the council.

A copy of the Town of Peace River’s Council Code of Conduct Bylaw (s. 153(e.1)) can be found here: Bylaw No. 2160 Council Code of Conduct

In addition, if you are elected as Mayor (Chief Elected Official), section 154(1) states 

• 154(1) A chief elected official, in addition to performing the duties of a councillor, must 
  • (a) preside when in attendance at a council meeting unless a bylaw provides that another councillor or other person is to preside, and 
  • (b) perform any other duty imposed on a chief elected official by this or any other enactment or bylaw. 
  • (2) Repealed 2022 c16 s9(40). 
  • (3) The chief elected official may be a member of a board, commission, subdivision authority or development authority established under Part 17 only if the chief elected official is appointed in the chief elected official’s personal name.

Town Council does not direct the day-to-day work of Administration. Council’s only employee is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), who is the administrative head of the municipality charged with implementing bylaw and policy direction set by Council through the Administrative staff. The CAO is also responsible for keeping Council informed and reporting back to Council as required. Other than their 1 employee, Council may not hire, fire, or discipline any staff.

Other helpful documents and websites:

• Alberta Government – What every councillor needs to know: A council member’s handbook
• Local Authorities Election Act
• Alberta Municipal Elections Overview
• Alberta Municipalities 
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities 

Town Council sets the vision and direction for their municipality. They do so by adopting policies and bylaws that align with these goals, and by approving the annual municipal budgets. It is then the responsibility of municipal staff to administer and carry-out the policies set by Council. 

As a Councillor you will have the occasion to put forward ideas and opportunities for the betterment of your community. However, decisions or monetary commitments may not be made individually and must be made by a majority of Council through a Council Resolution. If a decision made by a majority of Council does not align with your opinion, you must be able to respect the difference of opinion and demonstrate a unified and respectful front.

As a member of Council, you are a leader and a representative of the Town of Peace River. As such, when you are in public, you should conduct yourself in a manner that appropriately aligns with these responsibilities.

During your four-year term as a Councillor, you will be required to attend many meetings and events which can be demanding on your time. These include:

• Regular Town Council meeting, which are currently held on the second and fourth Mondays of every month at 5:00 p.m.
• Working policy meetings, called Governance and Priorities Meetings, which are currently held on the first Monday of every month at 5:00 p.m.
• meetings of other boards and agencies to which you are appointed as a council representative;
• Various other conferences (e.g. AUMA and FCM), conventions, seminars and workshops for training and discussions.

A Councillor must also spend time reading agenda packages and preparing for their respective meetings, as well as take time to meet and speak with members of the public, the Chief Administrative Officer, and other parties related to the municipality. 

As a member of Council, you will likely be invited to attend many community events and functions. Attendance at these community events is at your own personal discretion; however, if in the position of Mayor, there is an expectation to attend many of these community events on behalf of the Town and often to bring greetings.  

Councillors are compensated for their time dedicated as a municipal Councillor. 

Monthly Honorarium 

The mayor, deputy mayor, and councillors each get a base monthly honorarium.

For the 2023-2024 term, honoraria have been adopted at the following rates:

• Mayor: $2,673
• Deputy Mayor: $1,833
• Councillors: $1,524

These amounts will be slightly different for the 2025-2026 term as they are adjusted annually, based on the Cost-of-Living Index, to a maximum of 3% per year. 

This annual salary includes compensation for:

• dealing with and responding to public concerns from residents, clubs, organizations, businesses, etc.;
• Meeting preparation and research;
• Meetings with municipal administration;
• Attendance at community events, ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, banquets, fundraisers, golf tournaments, etc.;
• Signing documents;
• Reviewing and responding to correspondence related to council business;
• Town staff social functions;
• In-town travel and car expense;
• Incidentals related to normal execution of duties.

Hourly Pay

Members of Council also receive an hourly rate of pay. For the 2025-2029 term, the hourly rate has been adopted at $45 (to a maximum of $450/day) for the following: 

• Regular and Organizational council meeting attendance; 
• Governance and Priorities Committee meeting attendance; 
• Public Hearings (when part of regular or special meeting), Special or Town Hall council meeting attendance; 
• Regularly scheduled meetings and special meetings of Authorities, Boards, Commissions and Committees, and their sub-committees, that a council member or alternate are appointed, that do not remunerate the members. Alternates are only paid an Hourly Rate for attending in the absence of the primary member; 
• Out of town travel (in accordance with Council remuneration policy).

Per Diems

Members of Council have an allotted number of Per Diem days they are allowed to use for attending “…meetings, conferences, seminars, conventions, or relevant courses for Professional Development purposes with content/subject matter to complement or improve performance of professional duties or remain apprised of best practice in governance at the discretion of the Council member”.

Per Diems may be claimed in half day ($225) or full day ($450) increments. 

Expenses

Councillors are reimbursed for travel expenses incurred while conducting Council business, in accordance with the Council Remuneration policy. 

Members are also compensated annually for the use of their personal cell phone in conducting council business ($600) and for the use of personal office and stationary supplies ($300). With the exception of the Mayor, who does not receive the cell phone reimbursement as they are provided with a Town issued phone. 

You can review the full compensation policy here: Council Remuneration, Travel and Expense Policy.

Nomination papers may be filed between January 1, 2025, and 12 noon on nomination day (being September 22, 2025)

Election day: October 20, 2025

*Members of Council should be prepared to spend an extra hour or two following Council/G&P Meetings for additional, organization specific training. 

Please continue to check out our 2025 Elections webpage, where we will post important information regarding the nomination process & fees, campaign funding and disclosure, signage rules, and various other information that you may require to run your campaign. 

You may also want to visit our Council portal to familiarize yourself with Town Bylaws, policies, and previous Council/Governance & Priorities Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes: CivicWeb Portal

If you are still unsure, or have more questions, please feel free to contact Kayla Parsons, returning officer, at 780-624-2574 or legislativeservices@peaceriver.ca 

In accordance with section 32(1) of the LAEA, a candidate may withdraw their candidacy any time during the nomination period. 

Further, in accordance with section 32(2) of the LAEA, if there are more candidates for any particular office than is required, a candidate may withdraw their nomination within 24 hours of the close of the nomination period.

Any notice of Withdrawal must be submitted to the returning officer in writing. 

If, at the close of Nomination Day (noon on September 22, 2025), the number of candidates nominated for any office is the same as the number required to be elected, the Returning Officer shall declare the candidates to be acclaimed to the offices for which they were nominated.

Section 147.3(1)(a) of the LAEA, states that a candidate shall ensure that:

“a campaign account in the name of the candidate or the candidate’s election campaign is opened at a financial institution for the purposes of the election campaign at the time the candidate gives a written notice under section 147.22 [Notice of Intent] or as soon as possible after the total amount of contributions first exceeds $1000 in the aggregate…”

The LAEA Regulation, Expense Limits, dictates expense limits for a candidate running in a municipal election. 

For Peace River’s general election, the Regulation implications are as follows:

All Candidates, including the chief elected official (mayor)

• January-December 2024: maximum of $10,000
• January-December 2025: maximum of $20,000

Per section 1(2) of the Regulation, candidates in a general municipal election may NOT incur campaign expenses in the first 2 years of a campaign period. 

Candidates should also see the campaign disclosure section to understand their reporting requirements with respect to campaign expenses. 

View the Expense Limits Regulation here: Expense Limits Regulation
 

A campaign expense means any expense incurred (including a non-monetary contribution received) by a candidate to the extent that the property or service is used to directly promote or oppose a candidate during a campaign period. The expense or non-monetary contribution includes, but may not be limited to: 

• the production of advertising or promotional material;
• the distribution, broadcast, or publication of advertising or promotional material in any media or by any other means during a campaign period, including by the use of a capital asset;
• the payment of remuneration and expenses to or on behalf of a person for the person’s services as a chief financial officer or in any other capacity;
• securing a meeting place;
• the conduct of election surveys or other surveys or research during a campaign period; or
• the production of a review engagement required by the LAEA. 

A Candidate my contribute up to $10,000 to their own campaign during the campaign period (s. 147.2(4)). 

(147.1(1)(b) “campaign period” means 
(i) in the case of a general election, the period beginning on January 1 of the year immediately following a general election and ending on December 31 immediately following the next general election, and 
(ii) in the case of a by-election, the period beginning on the day after the resolution or bylaw is passed to set the election day for the by-election and ending 60 days after the by-election;)

An individual who is ordinarily a resident in Alberta shall not exceed, in a calendar year during the campaign period, $5000 in the aggregate to all candidates for election as a councillor in a particular municipality (s. 147.2(2)). (i.e. if someone donates to multiple candidates, their total donations to all of them cannot exceed $5,000.)

Contributions by a corporation other than a prohibited organization, by an Alberta trade union or by an Alberta employee organization shall not exceed during the campaign period $5000 in the aggregate to all candidates for election as a councillor in a particular municipality (s. 147.2(3)).

Contributions of real property, personal property and services must be given a monetary value and accounted for as a contribution (s. 147.3(1)(d)).

Candidates must not accept anonymous contributions (s. 147.23) or contributions from any prohibited organization (s. 147.2(1)). 

Under section 147.1(1)(f) of the LAEA, “Prohibited Organization” is defined as 

• (i) a municipality, 
• (ii) a corporation that is controlled by a municipality and meets the test set out in section 1(2) of the Municipal Government Act, 
• (iii) a non-profit organization that has received since the last general election any of the following from the municipality in which the election will be held: 
  • (A) a grant; 
  • (B) real property;
  • (C) personal property, 
• (iv) a Provincial corporation as defined in the Financial Administration Act, including a management body within the meaning of the Alberta Housing Act, 
• (v) a Metis settlement, 
• (vi) a board of trustees under the Education Act, 
• (vii) a public post-secondary institution as defined in the Post-secondary Learning Act, 
• (viii) a corporation that does not carry on business in Alberta, 
• (ix) a registered party as defined in the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada), or 
• (x) an organization designated by the Lieutenant Governor in Council as a prohibited organization;

Did you receive a donation from a prohibited or anonymous contributor? Consult the LAEA to find out what to do now. 

Candidates must provide receipts for every contribution and retain receipts and records for all expenses. Issued receipts should include the name of the candidate or campaign, name of the contributor, amount or value of contribution and the type of contribution (s. 147.32). 

When a contributor’s total amount contributed during the year exceeds $50 in the aggregate, a candidate must keep a record of the contributor’s name and address (147.4(1)(b)). 

Please visit the Campaign Disclosure Statements Portion of our website: Campaign Disclosure Statements

There you will find information on filing your Campaign Disclosure Statements, including downloading the form, what information is required to be entered on the form, what happens if you don't file a Disclosure Statement, copies of Disclosure Statements filed during the 2021 election, etc. 

Section 147.1(2):

(2) The value of a contribution, other than money, provided to a candidate is the fair market value of the contribution at the time it is provided.

(3) If any personal property, real property or service or the use of personal property or real property is provided to a candidate for a price that is less than the fair market value at the time it is provided, the amount by which the value exceeds the price is a contribution for the purposes of this Part. 

(4) For the purposes of this section, the use of goods in a 2nd or subsequent election is a non-monetary contribution. 

(5) In this section, “expense incurred” means an expense that is incurred, whether it is paid or unpaid.

LAEA s. 147.13 - Responsibility of Contributors

LAEA s. 147.31- Fund-raising Functions

LAEA s. 147.33 - Loans

LAEA s. 147.5 - Campaign Surplus

LAEA s. 147.52 - Campaign Deficit

LAEA s. 147.82 & 147.83 - Offences & Penalties Relating to Contributions

Local Authorities Election Act

In the Town’s Land Use Bylaw, posters or signboards relating specifically to a pending election: 

• may be displayed for thirty (30) days prior to an election [September 20, 2025]; 
• do not require a development permit; 
• signs cannot cause confusion or obscure traffic lights or traffic signs, or endanger the progress of traffic; 
• cannot exceed 1.11 square metres (12 square feet) in area nor 1.22 metres (4 feet) in height; 
• shall be removed within seventy-two (72) hours after election day; and 
• shall comply with any relevant provincial or federal legislation. 

Additionally, election signs must NOT:

• display an intermittent flashing, rotating, or moving light
• be floodlit which could distract drivers
• have any moving or rotating parts
• imitate the wording of a standard or commonly used highway traffic sign, such as stop, stop ahead, or yield
• imitate or resemble a traffic control device, such as a stop sign.

Signs should also not include associated yard lights, area lighting, and other lights that are excessively distracting to the public or create a traffic hazard.

Election signs must NOT be placed:

• within the median of a provincial highway
• on highway signs or sign posts 
• within 500 m of construction zones
• to obstruct a driver’s view of an intersection, including
  • within 15 metres of an intersection
  • within 10 metres of a Crosswalk that is not located at an intersection
  • within 2 metres of a driveway crossing or entrance to private property.
• On private property, unless permission has been obtained
• On any Town owned property/facilities, including but not limited to
  • The Town Hall
  • Baytex Energy Centre
  • Peace Regional Pool
  • Peace River Fire Halls
  • Peace River Public Works Shop
  • Peace River Museum, Archives & Mackenzie Centre
  • Athabasca Hall
  • Water Treatment Plant or Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Town playgrounds, parks, and sports fields

Any signage found in contravention of the above shall be removed by a Town official and held for pickup by the candidate. Any signs not claimed shall be disposed of. 

Why can’t I place my signage on Town property? The Town must remain a neutral party throughout the municipal election. By not allowing signage on Town property, we are avoiding any potential perceived bias in support of any one candidate. 

The Government of Alberta also have an Election Sign guide: 2012 Election Sign Guidelines

It is an offence for candidates to print or distribute any advertisement in a form of ballot printed by the returning officer. Any advertisement indicating or showing an “X” marked next to any candidate or candidates name is prohibited. 

No advertisement or candidate’s election signs can be displayed or handed out inside or outside a building used as a voting station on election day/advance vote day in accordance with the LAEA. It is an offence, liable to a fine of not more than $500. This includes campaign pins or stickers worn by voters.