2025 CCSD By-election: third party advertising

Advertising contributions include any money and non-monetary contributions (i.e.,properties, goods or services) for the benefit of the third party. See the Local Authorities Election Act 162(1)(b) for the complete definition of advertisingcontributions.

A TPA must issue a receipt for every election advertising contribution that includes the following information:

• date of contribution;
• name of contributor;
• address of contributor; and
• amount contributed.

The maximum amount allowed per contributor is $5,000 across all third party advertisers during the election advertising period.

Only Alberta residents and Alberta trade unions, employee organizations and corporations that do business in Alberta may contribute to a third party advertiser. You, or your representative, are responsible for informing prospective contributors of the limits and restrictions for contributing. Contributors are responsible for ensuring that they are eligible and that they do not exceed their contribution limits.

The following shall not make an election advertising contribution:

•  an individual ordinarily resident outside Alberta;
• a prohibited corporation as defined in the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act,
• a trade union or employee organization that is not an Alberta trade union or Alberta employee organization;
• a registered charity;
• a group of which any member of the group is ineligible under clause (a), (b) or (c).

Advertising expense is any expense incurred in relation to the production and transmission of an election advertising message. See section 162(1)(c) of the Local Authorities Election Act for the complete definition of advertising expenses.

Expense limits are outlined in the Expense Limit Regulation (ELR) which comes into force Oct. 31, 2024.

Expense limits during the election advertising period: Third party advertisers are permitted to spend $0.50 per person based on the population of the municipality during the election advertising period. 

All election advertising expenses must be paid from the TPA's advertising account.

Every TPA must appoint a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and all expenses must be authorized by the CFO or their delegate.

All election advertising expenses must be recorded in the advertising return.

Third party advertising contribution statement including:

Total amount of contributions of $250.00 or less.

Total amount of contributions of $250.01 and greater.

Itemized list of contributions of $250.01 and greater, including:

• Contributor’s full name (first and last name, corporation, trade union or employee organization)
• Contributor’s address (address, city, province, and postal code)
• Contribution amount
• Date of contribution

Form 28 - Third Party Advertising Contribution Statement 

The Chief Financial Officer of a registered third party advertiser must file an election advertising return including:

• A financial statement.
  
• An election advertising expense limit report relating to third party advertising expenses in relation to election advertising.
• A list of the time and place of broadcast or publication of the advertisements.
• Original bill, voucher or receipt for any election advertising expense of more than $50.
• Any supporting information and documents relating to the election advertising return.

How to handle advertising account funds

A third party advertiser may:

Continue to hold funds to be used in the next election advertising period

OR

Decide not to use the funds for the next election advertising period, in which case the funds must be either:

• Transferred to another registered third party advertiser.
• Donated to a registered charity.
• Returned to the contributors.
• Paid to The City of Calgary.

File your disclosure statement with original signatures and documents. Emails and scanned documents will not be accepted. Retain a copy for your own records.

Elections Calgary must receive the disclosure statement by the deadline of June 2, 2025. Allow for mailing time. Mailing dates or postmarks do not qualify as meeting legislative deadlines.

Submit the statement to the Elections Calgary office in-person or by mail or courier. For addresses, contact Elections Calgary.