Alberta is unveiling new regulations that will once again allow corporate and union donations in local elections.
The move by the United Conservative Party government reverses a ban brought in under the NDP.
The rules come under Bill 20, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, that makes sweeping changes to municipal elections, which the province says will make them more transparent.
It passed debate in the legislature earlier this year and comes into effect later this month.
Alberta Municipalities has been a vocal critic of the changes, with president Tyler Gandam saying that opening the door to big donors puts local government’s “up for sale to the highest bidder.”
The legislation also allows local political parties and slates on the ballot beginning in 2025 — but only in the province’s two largest cities, Edmonton and Calgary. However, they are not permitted for school board trustee elections.
Individuals, corporations or unions are capped at contributing $5,000 total to all local parties per jurisdiction per year.
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The next municipal elections are set to take place in October 2025.
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Bill 20 report provided to Edmonton city council
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Alberta municipalities fear Bill 20 will push untenable costs on small towns -
Concerns over Bill 20 and the allowance of campaign financing -
Edmonton council unanimously votes to call for Bill 20 and Bill 18 to be scrapped -
Alberta’s Bill 20 includes bold steps to address housing crisis -
Alberta’s Bill 20 criticized for voting changes -
Calgary Mayor on marathon rezoning session at City Hall and her thoughts on the UCP’s Bill 20 -
Political analyst expects municipal political parties if Bill 20 passes -
Alberta Municipalities ‘caught off guard’ by details of Bill 20 -
Municipal governments face threat as Alberta asserts power over them in Bill 20 -
Alberta’s ‘unprecedented’ Bill 20 raises a lot of questions
— More to come…
