Maintaining Non-Partisan Municipal Elections
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT Alberta Municipalities advocate to the Provincial Government to refrain from introducing partisan politics in local government elections;
AND IT IS FURTHERED RESOLVED THAT Alberta Municipalities advocate for the Government of Alberta to amend the LAEA to prohibit partisanship infiltrating local elections or politics in any way including political party endorsements of local candidates, donations directly or indirectly to local candidates, or by way of any other influence.
WHEREAS municipal elections in Alberta have been predominantly free from political party influence, affording local elected officials the autonomy to debate and vote on community issues based on the best interests of their community;
WHEREAS at the Provincial level there has been comment on opening the door to having political parties at the local level;
WHEREAS partisan politics would restrict individual elected officials from independently pursuing the best interests of the municipality but instead bind them by the ideology of the political party they represent; and
WHEREAS the current Local Authorities Elections Act (LAEA) does not explicitly restrict political party influence in local elections.
Local government elected officials are closer to the people they represent than any other form of government. These representatives also live in their community which is not always the case for those elected provincially or federally. Local representatives interact with their citizens often, are accountable to their citizens and are easily accessible.
On any community issue they face, these local elected officials bring their experience and what they believe is best for the overall community and express this through their debate and vote. This is critical in local government and plays a big part in why local government is the most accountable and efficient form of government.
Partisanship in local politics would be a disappointment. No longer could our local elected officials vote on what they believe is best for the community, but instead, they would be beholden to vote based on the ideology of the political party they represent. In the few cases where elected officials in non-local governments dare vote on what they feel is in the best interests of their constituents rather than by their parties’ ideologies, they have been alienated by the party. This has the effect of leaving their constituents frustrated with the feeling their voice has been further eroded.
For our municipalities to remain efficient, effective and accountable, it is critical that we leave no room for partisan politics. Thank you for your consideration and support of this resolution.
In November 2023, Alberta Municipal Affairs surveyed Albertans on whether council candidates should be allowed to list a political party on the election ballot. The results indicated that 70% of Albertans were not supportive. In the spring 2024 legislative session, the Government of Alberta passed Bill 20, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, which made numerous changes to the LAEA including the ability for municipal political parties to operate in the Calgary and Edmonton municipal elections in 2025. In addition, the Act made several changes to donation limits and enabled corporations and unions to donate to candidates. In October 2024, the province released the new Expense Limits Regulation, which provides an unfair financial advantage for candidates who run under a political party.
ABmunis’ Rating of the Government’s Response
Intent not met – further action will be taken at a high level of engagement.
ABmunis’ Notes and Actions
ABmunis actions on this issue have included:
• Contracted Janet Brown Opinion Research to poll Albertans in August 2023, which confirmed that 68% were opposed.
• Hosted an education session at our 2023 Convention called Fight for Your Right Not to Party: Defending the Local in Local Elections.
• Launched a public campaign in November 2023 to encourage Albertans to provide their input on the province’s survey.
• Hosted a Town Hall with members in November 2023.
• Met with Minister McIver in December 2023.
• Provided time for members to question the Premier and Minister of Municipal Affairs at our Spring 2024 MLC.
• Sent a letter to the Premier in April 2024 outlining legislative changes that could improve election transparency without the need for political parties.
• After Bill 20 was released, ABmunis:
o Engaged media.
o Hosted a webinar to educate and source input from members.
o Called for Bill 20 to be withdrawn to allow time for meaningful discussions with municipal leaders.
• Conducted an extensive number of media interviews that generated significant media coverage between September 2023 and May 2024.
Despite ABmunis’ efforts, only two amendments were made to Bill 20. ABmunis participated in engagements over the summer of 2024 to help inform the development of regulations that are needed to implement the changes made by Bill 20. ABmunis has joined the Canadian Municipal Barometers project which brings together academics and municipal associations to understand and explore ways to improve local democracy. The project provides the opportunity to assess the impact of partisanship on local elections.