Requirements for campaign bank accounts clarified

Members have been asking questions and expressing their concerns about campaign bank account requirements for candidates in the upcoming municipal election as set out in section 147.3(1)(a) of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA).

Some candidates in small communities are concerned that they would need to open a bank account even if they had no or minimal campaign contributions.

We worked with Municipal Affairs to clarify that candidates are not required to open a dedicated campaign bank account unless their contributions (including self-funded) exceed $1,000. 

For further clarity, the LAEA requires all candidates to open a bank account once they exceed $1,000 in total contributions. This includes monetary contributions made by the candidate for their own campaign.  Again, if a candidate’s contributions do not exceed $1,000, they are not required to open a campaign bank account.

For more information on election rules visit Municipal Affairs' Election web page which includes an updated Candidate's Guide for Running for Local Office in Alberta.  Contact Municipal Affairs by ma.advisory [at] gov.ab.ca (email) if you have any questions. 

Alberta Municipalities and the Rural Municipalities of Alberta have also partnered to provide more information on what it is like to be a municipal elected official. Visit ABmunis' Running for Office web page to watch videos and register for upcoming webinars on the experience of being elected to municipal office.