Deciding to run for municipal office is a significant undertaking, and if successful it means dedicating a considerable amount of time and effort to your community.
We have compiled the below information to help you as you contemplate whether running for Town Council is right for you, including eligibility criteria and other tidbits about what it looks like to serve as a municipal Councillor.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nomination papers may be filed between January 1, 2025, and 12 noon on nomination day (being September 22, 2025)
Election day: October 20, 2025
Organizational Meeting, Swearing in Ceremony & Council Meeting: October 27, 2025
Joint Elected Official Training with George Cuff: October 29, 2025
Alberta Municipalities Conference (Calgary): November 12-14, 2025
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 kparsons@peaceriver.ca
Running in the Municipal Election? We've got you covered.
Here you will find information to help guide you through running in the 2025 Municipal Election, including election forms, requirements for submitting nomination papers, overview of campaign finance requirements, rules around election signage, etc.
Notice of Intent to Run
The Notice of Intent to Run process is new for the 2025 municipal election and differs from the Nomination process.
Prospective candidates must file the Notice of Intent to Run form before accepting campaign contributions or incurring campaign expenses. Once the Returning Officer receives the completed form, the candidate's name will be added to the Register of Candidates on the Town’s website. A candidate is responsible to ensure they are eligible to run in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act.
A Notice of Intent to Run may be submitted anytime during a campaign period but MUST be submitted with your nomination papers.
Submitting a Notice of Intent to Run does not make you a candidate.
A candidate nomination package must still be submitted and accepted by the Returning Officer during the Nomination Period which begins January 2, 2025, and runs until noon on September 22, 2025. It is the responsibility of potential candidates to ensure their submissions meet the legislated requirements and are submitted within the required timelines.
To submit your Notice of Intent to Run, please complete the form (link below) and return to the Returning Officer at the Town Office: 9911 100 Street, Peace River or by email to kparsons@peaceriver.ca
In accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act s. 147.22, the Town is required to maintain a register listing all individuals who have filed a Notice of Intent to Run in the upcoming general election. This register will be publicly available on the Town's website until December 31, 2025.
Below is a current listing of candidates who have submitted to their Notice of Intent to Run to the Returning Officer. This list will be continuously updated.
*Please note, submitting a Notice of Intent to Run does not make you an official candidate. Those wishing to become an official candidate must file their nomination papers. Within 48-hours of close of nomination day (September 22, 2025), a list of official candidates shall be posted.
Nomination Papers
Nomination period opens January 2, 2025.
Nomination Papers & Candidates Acceptance (Form 4) can be submitted starting January 2, 2025, until close of Nomination Day, being NOON on September 22, 2025. Late submissions CANNOT be accepted.
Forms must be submitted to the Returning Officer at the Town Office:
9911 100 Street, Peace River.
You are encouraged to make an appointment with the Returning Officer to drop off your papers, to ensure availability.
Nomination papers (Form 4) must:
be completed in the prescribed form (available below or for pick up at the Town Office)
have signatures of at least 5 electors eligible to vote in this election in accordance with sections 27 and 47 of the Local Authorities Election Act
be sworn (or affirmed) by the candidate
be accompanied by a $50 deposit
include a criminal record check conducted by the RCMP within the last 6 months, showing any past criminal convictions
Any nomination papers not meeting the above criteria shall be rejected by the Returning Officer, in accordance with section 28(4) of the LAEA.
In accordance with section 27(1.1) of the LAEA, Candidate Financial Information (Form 5, available below or for pick up at the Town Office) must also be submitted to the Returning Officer upon submission of completed nomination package.
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.
Campaign Contributions
The Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) has introduced new rules for campaign financing and disclosure.
The legislation is binding on all candidates running in municipal elections in Alberta. It is very important that candidates become familiar with the LAEA, as they are responsible for ensuring that their campaign finances comply with the legislation.
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…”
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)).
On or before March 1, 2026, a candidate who received contributions MUST file a campaign disclosure statement with the municipality. The municipality is then required to provide the disclosure statement to the Province. The campaign disclosure statement must be completed in the prescribed form (available on the Town Website) and must included:
the total amount of all contributions received during the year that did not exceed $50 in the aggregate from any single contributor,
the total amount contributed, together with the contributor’s name and address, for each contributor whose contributions during the year exceeded $50 in the aggregate,
the total amount of all contributions received under section 147.2(4), (section 147.2(4) – candidate’s own contributions to their campaign)
the total amount from fund-raising functions received in the year,
the total amount of other revenue received in the year,
the total amount of campaign expenses incurred in the year,
an itemized campaign expense report setting out the campaign expenses incurred by the candidate in the year,
the total amount paid by the candidate out of the candidate’s own funds in the year not reimbursed from the candidate’s campaign fund,
where the previous year is the year in which the election was held, the total amount of any campaign surplus for the campaign period, including any surplus from previous campaigns, and
where the previous year is the year in which the election was held, the amount of any deficit for the campaign period.
Don’t forget, non-monetary donations need to be assigned a monetary value and be included in this reporting.
Any candidate who has a campaign surplus or deficit should consult the LAEA.
The municipality is also required to make the campaign disclosure statements available on the Town’s website (s. 147.4(7)).
If you do not file a Disclosure Statement you may be fined, and you may be ineligible to run in the next general election (LAEA, s. 22(1)) or disqualified as a sitting Councillor (Municipal Government Act, s. 174(1)(b.1)).
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.
Campaign Advertising & Signage
The Town and the LAEA have rules in relation in campaign advertising/signage, and in some cases, some specific dos and don'ts.
Any election signage found in contravention of the below shall be removed by a Town official and held for pickup by the candidate. Any signs not claimed shall be disposed of.
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.
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.
Please Note
All information provided here is a courtesy and provides only brief highlights of the LAEA. It does not constitute legal advice, nor does it contain all information within legislation.
This information is not a replacement for consulting the actual legislation or obtaining independent legal advice. It is the candidate’s responsibility to be familiar with the legislation and ensure they are meeting their obligations under the Act.
