Election 2025

On October 18, 2024, Municipal Affairs proclaimed the Municipal Statutes Amendment Act which made several amendments to the Local Authorities Elections Act (LAEA) and the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The amendments related to municipal elections came into effect on October 31, 2024.

Key Legislative Changes (Effective Oct. 31, 2024)

• Automated Voting: Prohibited.
• Nomination Period: Extended from Jan. 1 to Nomination Day (Sept. 22, 2025).
• Campaign Limits: Alberta-wide limits introduced.
• Third-Party Advertising: Registration and financial disclosure required; capped at $5,000.
• Campaign Contributions: Union and corporate donations permitted.
• Voter Identification: Vouching allowed only for address.
• Recall Petitions: Validation responsibility transferred to Minister.
• Electors Register: Municipalities must create a Permanent Electors Register in partnership with Elections Alberta.
• Councillor Training: Orientation training is now mandatory.
• Special Ballots: Expanded application eligibility for electors unable to vote at Advanced polls or on Election Day.

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.  

 After January 1, 2025 candidates can submit their Nomination forms and Notice of Intent to Run at the same time. Nomination forms cannot be submitted without a Notice of Intent to Run.

Notice of Intent to Run

Please note that submitting a Notice of Intent to Run does not replace the nomination process, which begins on January 1, 2025, nor does it mean a candidate is officially nominated.   

Should there be any changes to the information provided in the Notice of Intent to Run, the candidate must notify the Returning Officer within 48 hours. 

The campaign period for the 2025 municipal election is October 31, 2024 until December 31, 2025. 

Candidates cannot accept contributions or incur expenses before giving written notice.

Candidates must follow the election finance rules set out in Part 5.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act and the Expense Limits Regulation. 

The Town is required by the Local Authorities Election Act to maintain a register listing all individuals who have filed a Notice of Intent to Run in the upcoming general election. The register will be publicly available on the Town's website until December 31, 2025.

Candidates may choose to have their name and contact information listed as candidate on the Town of Edson's Election webpage prior to Nomination Day, September 22, 2025.

Candidate / Official Agent Communications Consent Form

*Currently, there have been no Notices of Intent to Run filed.*

Below is a current listing of candidates which have submitted to their Notice of Intent to Run or Nomination Papers to the Returning Officer. This list will be continuously updated. 

Notice of Intent and/or Register of Candidates 

Eligibility - LAEA s. 21(1)

A person is eligible to be nominated as a candidate in any election if on nomination date they are:

• Eligible to vote in that election;
  • At least 18 years of age
  • A Canadian citizen
  • A resident of Alberta & local jurisdiction on Election Day 
• A resident of the local jurisdiction and the ward, if any, for 6 consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day, and;
• Not otherwise ineligible or disqualified.
  • See Local Authorities Election Act s. 22

Ineligibility - LAEA s. 22(1)

A person is not eligible to be nominated as a candidate in the election if on nomination day:

• The person is the auditor of the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held;
• The person is an employee of the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held unless the person takes a leave of absence;
• The person is indebted to the municipality of which the person is an elector for taxes in default exceeding $50, excluding from that amount ( i ) any indebtedness for current taxes, and (ii) any indebtedness for arrears of taxes for which the person has
  entered into a consolidation agreement with the municipality, unless the person is in default in the payment of any money due under the agreement;
• The person is indebted to the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held for any debt exceeding $500 and in default for more than 90 days;
• The person has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under the LAEA , the Election Act , the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada).

The Town of Edson’s Elections Bylaw requires a candidate’s nomination papers to be accompanied with a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check. Nomination papers filed without the required documents will not be accepted.

The Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check must have been completed within the previous six months from the date that the candidate files their nomination papers. It must be completed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Criminal Record Checks and Vulnerable Sector Checks will not be accepted if they are conducted by a third-party provider.

To obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check from the RCMP, the candidate must provide a letter indicating the check is required as, if elected, you may engage with boards, committees, and events involving youth and/or vulnerable populations. This letter will be provided by the Town of Edson.

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 meetings, which are held on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
• Regular Committee of the Whole meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 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 discussion.

A Councillor must also spend time reading the agenda and preparing for the respective meetings, as well as, speaking with members of the public , the Chief Administrative Officer and other parties related to the municipality. There may also be events promoting Edson where Councillors receive invitations to attend.

During their term(s), Councillors sit on a range of specialized Boards & Committees which fulfill a number of important functions within Edson and the surrounding region.

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

• 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;
• To promote an integrated and strategic approach to intermunicipal land use planning and service delivery with neighbouring municipalities;
• To participate generally in developing and evaluating the policies and programs of the municipality;
• To participate in Council meetings, Council Committee meetings, and meetings of other bodies to which they are appointed by the Council 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;
• to keep in confidence matters discussed in private at a Council or Council Committee meeting until discussed at a meeting held in public;
• to adhere to the Code of Conduct established by the Council under section 146.1(1);
• to perform any other duty or function imposed on Councillors by this or any other enactment or by the Council.

The Mayor has the same powers, duties, and responsibilities as any member of Council. 

The Mayor has no veto power over a decision of Council. 

Additional responsibilities of the Mayor include: 

• Preside over Council meetings unless otherwise provided for by Bylaw; 
• Is an official member of all Council committees and all bodies to which Council has the right to appoint members;  
• Providing Council with guidance interpreting Town Policies and procedures; 
• Representing the Town and Council to outside agencies and communities; and 
• Providing Council with overall leadership and direction. 

Local Authorities Election Act 
Recently, the Government of Alberta amended the Local Authorities Elections Act. The LAEA and related regulations can be viewed on the Alberta King’s Printer website.

Candidates are encouraged to visit the following: 

• Local Authorities Election Act - Open Government 
• Bill 20 Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, Fact Sheet 
• Expense Limits Regulation - Open Government 
• Election 2025: The Town of Edson 
• What every Councillor needs to know: A Council member's handbook 
• Alberta Government Municipal Affairs Election Overview: Municipal elections – Overview | Alberta.ca 

Town of Edson 
Candidates are encouraged to visit the Town of Edson website and familiarize themselves with the Town of Edson Bylaws, Policies, and previous Council/Committee of the Whole Meeting Agendas and Minutes: https://edson.civicweb.net/portal/. 

Specifically related to Council, candidates should also review: 

• Bylaw No. 2275 - Council Code of Conduct Bylaw 
• Bylaw No. 2281 - Meeting Procedures Bylaw 
• Bylaw No. 2312 Elections Bylaw 

How Do I Know if I’m Eligible to Run? 
Anyone considering running for office should confirm their eligibility as a first step. To be eligible, a prospective candidate must be: 

• At least 18 years old on Nomination Day (September 22, 2025) 
• A Canadian citizen 
• A resident of Edson for the 6 consecutive months immediately before Nomination Day 
• A resident of Edson on Election Day (October 20, 2025) 
• Not otherwise ineligible or disqualified under the Local Authorities Election Act 

It is a candidate’s responsibility to confirm eligibility before engaging in the nomination process. 

Is Submitting a Notice of Intent to Run the Same as Submitting Nomination Forms? 
No. Submitting a Notice of Intent to Run is one step in the process and does not mean you have been nominated and will appear on the ballot. 

Once a prospective candidate’s Notice of Intent to Run submission is complete and they are added to the Register of Candidates, they can accept campaign contributions and incur campaign expenses. 

To become a nominated candidate and appear on the ballot, a candidate must complete the nomination process during the Nomination Period from January 1 to September 22, 2025. 

What is the Register of Candidates? 
The Register of Candidates is a record of all candidates who have given notice to the Town of Edson that they intend to seek nomination for office in the next general election, as required by the Local Authorities Election Act. 

Is a Deposit Required to File a Notice of Intent to Run? 
No, a deposit is not required when filing a Notice of Intent to Run. 

Is a Criminal Records Check required for all candidates?
Yes, The Town of Edson’s Elections Bylaw requires a candidate’s nomination papers to be accompanied with a Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check. The Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check must have been completed within the previous six months from the date that the candidate files their nomination papers. It must be completed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Criminal Record Checks and Vulnerable Sector Checks will not be accepted if they are conducted by a third-party provider.

When is a Disclosure Statement Required to be Filed? 
Candidates are required to file a disclosure statement with the Returning Officer, on or before March 1 of each year, if contributions were received in the previous year. If contributions are collected and/or expenses incurred in 2024, a disclosure statement must be filed on or before March 1, 2025. For contributions collected and expenses incurred in 2025, a disclosure statement must be filed on or before March 1, 2026. 

TIP: Make sure to keep complete and detailed records of your contributions and expenses. This will be important for completing your disclosure statement(s). 

Nomination Paper Requirements: What are the prescribed forms for nomination papers? 
Every Candidate must complete and provide the following nomination papers to the Returning Officer by noon on September 22, 2025: 

• Notice of Intent to Run 
• Form 4 - Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance 
• Form 5 - Candidate Financial Information 
• Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check 
• Minimum of 5 signatures from eligible electors in the Town of Edson 

Written Acceptance: 

Form 4 contains a candidate’s written acceptance and must be commissioned by the Returning Officer or a Commissioner for Oaths. To complete the candidate acceptance, the candidate must be familiar with the following sections of the LAEA: 

• Section 21 - Qualification of Candidates 
• Section 22 – Ineligibility 
• Section 23 & 23.1 – Disqualification of Candidate 
• Section 27 – Form of Nomination 
• Section 47 – Eligibility to Vote 
• Section 68.1 – option for Official Agent 
• Section 151 – Offence 
• Part 5.1 - Election Finances and Contributions Disclosures 

Who can witness my signature on the nomination form? 
You must sign the nomination paper in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths or the Returning Officer. 

You can make an appointment with the Returning Officer or Commissioner for Oaths to have your signature witnessed by emailing elections@edson.ca. 

Commissioner for Oaths services are also available through any law office. 

Can I withdraw my nomination? 
A person nominated as a candidate may withdraw as a candidate at any time during the nomination period and up to 24 hours after the close of the nomination period. However, as per LAEA Section 32(3) the returning officer shall refuse to accept further withdrawals if, after one or more candidates have withdrawn, the number of remaining candidates does not exceed the number of vacancies to be filled. 

What are allowable campaign expenses? 
At a basic level, a “campaign expense” is an expense a candidate makes during the course of a campaign to help get elected. Technically, this includes any expense incurred, or nonmonetary contribution received, by a candidate to the extent that it is used to directly promote or oppose a candidate during a campaign period. Campaign expenses include: 

• 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 on the campaign; 
• Securing a meeting place; or 
• The conduct of opinion polls, surveys or research during a campaign period. 

Is there training or orientation provided to Elected Officials?
Newly elected Town Councillors are mandated to attend orientation sessions to prepare for their term of office on Council. Attendance at the orientation sessions is required by the MGA and the Town of Edson Council Code of Conduct Bylaw, as amended. 

The following are some of the topics that are required to be covered in the orientation sessions, which will be held after the 2025 municipal election: 

• The role of municipalities in Alberta 
• The organization and function of municipalities 
• Budgeting and financial administration 
• The roles and responsibilities of Councillors 
• The roles and responsibilities of the CAO and Town of Edson employees