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Alberta government unveils new rules for municipal political parties, donations

  • Lisa Johnson

    Lisa Johnson

  • Canadian Press

  • October 18, 2024

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks with reporters at the Council of the Federation meetings in Halifax on Monday, July 15, 2024. Alberta's United Conservative government is unveiling new regulations that will once again allow corporate and union donations in local elections, reversing a ban brought in under Rachel Notley's NDP government.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

EDMONTON -- 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 a bill 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.

Individuals, corporations or unions are capped at contributing $5,000 total to all local parties per jurisdiction per year.