Candidate information package - 2021 election - Leduc County
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2021 election
Candidate information
package
Page 1 of 30
Last updated: August 2021
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Offices ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
About Leduc County ............................................................................................................................... 5
Location ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Population and demographics........................................................................................................... 5
Communities...................................................................................................................................... 5
Labour and employment ................................................................................................................... 6
Roads ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Electoral divisions .............................................................................................................................. 6
Mission, vision and values ...................................................................................................................... 6
Mission .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Vision ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Values and commitments .................................................................................................................. 6
County administration ............................................................................................................................ 7
Being a council member ............................................................................................................................... 8
Term of office ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Organizational meeting .......................................................................................................................... 8
Orientation ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Roles and responsibilities ....................................................................................................................... 9
Additional roles and responsibilities of mayor (chief elected official) ................................................. 10
Code of conduct ................................................................................................................................... 10
Time commitment ................................................................................................................................ 10
Meetings/appointments....................................................................................................................... 11
Internal appointments ..................................................................................................................... 11
External appointments .................................................................................................................... 11
Quasi-judicial appointments............................................................................................................ 13
Joint meetings and regional initiatives ............................................................................................ 13
Meeting procedures ............................................................................................................................. 13
Compensation ...................................................................................................................................... 13
Benefits................................................................................................................................................. 13
Expense reimbursement ...................................................................................................................... 14
Travel and accommodation ............................................................................................................. 14
Home internet service ..................................................................................................................... 14
Training ............................................................................................................................................ 14
Other expense reimbursement ....................................................................................................... 14
Office equipment.................................................................................................................................. 14
Offices .............................................................................................................................................. 14
Computers and cellular devices....................................................................................................... 14
Disqualification of councillors .............................................................................................................. 14
Seeking election .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Important dates .................................................................................................................................... 16
Page 2 of 30
Candidate eligibility .............................................................................................................................. 16
Candidate ineligibility ........................................................................................................................... 16
Nomination process ............................................................................................................................. 16
Nomination forms ........................................................................................................................... 17
Nomination deposit ......................................................................................................................... 17
Withdrawal of nomination .............................................................................................................. 17
Candidate’s representatives ................................................................................................................. 18
Official agent ................................................................................................................................... 18
Candidate’s scrutineer..................................................................................................................... 18
Person objected to .......................................................................................................................... 19
Advertising rules ................................................................................................................................... 19
Use of Leduc County logo ................................................................................................................ 19
Advertisement distribution ............................................................................................................. 19
Third-party advertising .................................................................................................................... 20
Signage............................................................................................................................................. 20
Candidate’s financial disclosure requirements .................................................................................... 21
Voter requirements .............................................................................................................................. 25
Rules of residence ........................................................................................................................... 25
Voter identification.......................................................................................................................... 26
Appendix A – Electoral divisions map ......................................................................................................... 28
Appendix B – Council meeting list .............................................................................................................. 29
Page 3 of 30
Introduction
This information package is provided by Leduc County as a guide with no legislative sanction for
potential candidates for the Oct. 18, 2021 general election.
Selected excerpts from the Local Authorities Election Act and the Municipal Government Act are
included in this information package for your convenience. Refer to specific legislation for all purposes
of interpreting and applying the law.
Copies of acts are available from the following:
The Queen’s Printer
10611 98 Ave.
Edmonton, AB | T5K 2P7
Telephone: 780-427-4952 | Email: qp@gov.ab.ca | qp.alberta.ca
Additional information on municipal elections – including municipal election information and forms,
frequently asked questions, information guides and procedure manuals – is available from the following:
Alberta Municipal Affairs
18th Floor Commerce Place
10155 102 St.
Edmonton, AB | T5J 4L4
Telephone: 780-427-2732 or toll-free at 310-000 | municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/mc_elections
For general information and updates about the upcoming election, visit leduc-county.com/election
Offices
This information package focuses on the election of Leduc County council. For more information,
contact Joyce Gavan, returning officer, at 780-770-9259.
The returning officer is responsible for conducting elections of Leduc County councilors as well as school
trustees with each of the following school boards: Black Gold School Division, Elk Island Catholic Schools
and St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Separate School Division.
For school nomination forms and information on school elections, contact the following:
Black Gold Regional Schools Elk Island Catholic Schools St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic
Chelsey Volkman, Secretary- Cindy Wang, Secretary- Separate School Division
Treasurer Treasurer Edward Latka, Secretary-Treasurer
780-955-6049 780-449-6443 780-986-2500
chelsey.volkman@blackgold.ca cindy.wang@eics.ab.ca edward.latka@starcatholic.ab.ca
Page 4 of 30About Leduc County
Leduc County is a vibrant community strategically located within major air, rail and road networks. We
are home to 13,172 residents. Our key industries include agriculture, oil and gas, transportation and
logistics, energy and advanced manufacturing.
Location
Leduc County spans 105 kilometres east-to-west and 32 kilometres north-to-south, and is located
immediately south of the City of Edmonton. It is bordered by Parkland County and Brazeau County in
the west, Wetaskiwin County in the south and Camrose County, Beaver County and Strathcona County
in the east. The Edmonton International Airport, Nisku Business Park and Genesee Generating Station
are all located within Leduc County.
View more maps at leduc-county.com/maps
Population and demographics
Leduc County's current population is 13,172. According to the latest census by Statistics Canada, Leduc
County has a population density of 5.3 people per square kilometres and saw a 2.1 per cent population
change from 2011 to 2016.
Communities
Various hamlets, localities, summer villages and municipalities are located within Leduc County
boundaries, as follows:
Hamlets Localities Business park Summer villages* Municipalities*
Buford Glen Park Nisku Industrial Sundance Beach City of Leduc
Kavanagh Michigan Centre Itaska Beach City of Beaumont
Looma St. Francis Golden Days Town of Calmar
New Sarepta Town of Devon
Rolly View Town of Thorsby
Sunnybrook Village of Warburg
Telfordville
*Each summer village and municipality is governed by its own elected officials.
Page 5 of 30Labour and employment
According to the latest census by Statistics Canada, Leduc County has a higher employment rate, at 67.9
per cent) than the provincial (65.4 per cent) and federal (60.2 per cent) rates. The unemployment rate is
7.6 per cent.
Roads
Leduc County is responsible for the maintenance of all area range roads and township roads as well as
subdivisions and non-numbered area highways. We take care of 1,734 kilometres of gravel roads and
396 kilometres of paved roads.
Electoral divisions
Leduc County is divided into seven electoral divisions and on election day, residents in each division
elect a councillor to serve a four-year term. The seven councillors elect a mayor (chief elected official)
from amongst themselves at the annual organizational meeting held in October each year.
See Appendix A for the electoral division map.
Mission, vision and values
Mission
Leduc County is dedicated to serving its citizens and will create an enhanced quality of life through
effective leadership, committed partnerships and open, transparent communication.
Vision
Leduc County is a leading member of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. Leduc County offers an
economic advantage, sustainable agricultural network, environmental leadership and an unsurpassed
quality of life.
Values and commitments
Leduc County believes in: By being true to these core beliefs, council’s
our citizens commitment is to:
serving our communities working for our citizens
making ethical decisions leading by example
seeking fairness and equitability achieving positive results
pursuing innovation maintaining balanced and responsive budgets
Page 6 of 30County administration
Leduc County's administrative structure has a County Manager, Deputy County Manager and General
Manager of Financial and Corporate Services, who oversee the following departments:
Agricultural Services
Assessment Services
Corporate Services
Enforcement Services
Engineering
Family and Community Support Services
Finance
Fire Services
Parks and Recreation
Planning and Development
Road Operations
Utilities
Page 7 of 30Being a council member
Council members have the opportunity to significantly influence the future of Leduc County; this is an
important and demanding job.
Term of office
Members of an elected authority elected at a general election will hold office for a term of four years, as
per section 9(1) of the Local Authorities Election Act:
A person elected under this Act, unless otherwise disqualified from remaining in office, holds office
from the beginning of the organizational meeting of the elected authority following the general
election to immediately before the beginning of the organizational meeting of the elected authority
after the next general election.
Organizational meeting
A council must hold an organizational meeting annually not later than two weeks after the third Monday
in October. The Leduc County organizational meeting is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2021, at 9 a.m. At this
meeting, all councillors must take an oath of office, elect a mayor, select committee members and
perform other relevant county business.
Orientation
A municipal orientation will be held Oct. 27 and 28, 2021. This will be the first opportunity for council to
team build and review county operations.
Orientation is held within 90 days after the organizational meeting of council. Each council member
must participate in this orientation, in accordance with the Council Code of Conduct Bylaw. The
orientation covers the following topics:
role of Leduc County
municipal organization and functions
key municipal plans, policies and projects
roles and responsibilities of council and councillors
Council Code of Conduct Bylaw [Bylaw 21-18]
roles and responsibilities of the county manager and staff
budgeting and financial administration
public participation
any other topic prescribed by regulations
Page 8 of 30Roles and responsibilities
Council members’ roles and responsibilities include:
Identifying strategic priorities to guide actions and decisions during their term.
Approving an annual +$84-million municipal operating budget and +$15-million capital budget.
The operating budget covers day-to-day municipal operating expenses. The 2021 budget
included $26.7 million collected on behalf of the Government of Alberta and the Leduc
Regional Housing Foundation for school, designated industrial property and seniors' housing
requisitions.
The capital budget includes infrastructure costs for buildings, roads, bridges and equipment.
Committing to holding office for a four-year term and participating and attending the following:
regular and special council meetings
council committee meetings
meetings of other boards and agencies to which you are appointed as a council
representative
conferences, conventions, seminars and workshops for training and discussion
other events promoting the municipality
Managing your time to deal with telephone calls, visits from electors and attending community
events.
Working as a team with the rest of council and administration.
Familiarizing yourself with legislation that will guide decision making, such as the following:
Section 3 of the Municipal Government Act:
The purposes of a municipality are:
(a) to provide good government,
(a.1) to foster the well-being of the environment,
(b) to provide services, facilities or other things that, in the opinion of council, are
necessary or desirable for all or a part of the municipality,
(c) to develop and maintain safe and viable communities, and
(d) to work collaboratively with neighbouring municipalities to plan, deliver and fund
intermunicipal services.
Section 153 of the Municipal Government Act:
Councillors have the following duties:
(a) to consider the welfare and interests of the municipality as a whole and to bring to
council’s attention anything that would promote the welfare or interests of the
municipality;
(a.1) to promote an integrated and strategic approach to intermunicipal land use planning
and service delivery with neighbouring municipalities;
(b) to participate generally in developing and evaluating the policies and programs of the
municipality;
(c) to participate in council meetings and council committee meetings and meetings of
other bodies to which they are appointed by the council;
Page 9 of 30(d) to obtain information about the operation or administration of the municipality from
the chief administrative officer or a person designated by the chief administrative
officer;
(e) to keep in confidence matters discussed in private at a council or council committee
meeting until discussed at a meeting held in public;
(e.1) to adhere to the code of conduct established by the council under section 146.1(1);
(f) to perform any other duty or function imposed on councillors by this or any other
enactment or by the council.
Section 201 of the Municipal Government Act:
(1) A council is responsible for
(a) developing and evaluating the policies and programs of the municipality; and
(c) carrying out the powers, duties and functions expressly given to it under this or
any other enactment.
(2) A council must not exercise a power or function or perform a duty that is by this or
another enactment or bylaw specifically assigned to the chief administrative officer or
a designated officer.
Additional roles and responsibilities of mayor (chief elected official)
Section 154(1) of the Municipal Government Act:
A chief elected official, in addition to performing the duties of a councillor must
(a) preside when in attendance at a council meeting unless a bylaw provides that another
councilor or other person is to preside, and
(b) perform any other duty imposed on a chief elected official by this or any other enactment
or bylaw.
Code of conduct
Council members must adhere to the Council Code of Conduct Bylaw [Bylaw 21-18].
Time commitment
Being an elected official is not a part-time or full-time job; it is all time! During the four-year term of
office, there will be significant demands on your time. These demands include the following:
Preparing for and attending council meetings, council committee meetings and meetings of
other boards and agencies you may be appointed to as a council representative. To effectively
participate in these meetings, you need to review meeting materials (agenda packages) in
advance to become familiar with the issues that will be discussed.
Attending conferences, conventions, seminars and workshops for training and discussion.
Attending other events promoting Leduc County.
Interacting with citizens 24/7. This includes situations like being approached by a resident with a
concern, question or opinion while out buying groceries.
Page 10 of 30Meetings/appointments
At the annual organizational meeting, council appointments to internal, external and quasi-judicial
committees, boards, authorities and committees will be considered. Below is a list of the various
meetings council members may be appointed to; see Appendix B for a list of upcoming meetings.
Internal appointments
Meeting name Participants Frequency Time
Regular Council All council members Second and fourth Tuesday 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
per month
Governance and Priorities All council members First Tuesday per month 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Committee
Council Workshop All council members Second and fourth Tuesday 10 a.m. to noon
per month and, if required,
the fourth Thursday per
month
Agricultural Service Board All council members Second Monday of each 10 a.m. to noon
January, March, April, June,
September, November and
December
Public Works Committee All council members Second Monday per month 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Subdivision Authority Five council members Third Tuesday per month 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Sponsorships and Grants Two council members ~Three-to-four per year 1 hour
Committee
Emergency Management All council members One per year 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Advisory Committee
Family and Community Support Two council members ~Six per year 5 to 7 p.m.
Services Advisory Committee
Leduc County Library Board Two council members Quarterly Evening in New
Sarepta
Municipal Policy Review Three council members Fourth Thursday per month 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Committee
Parks and Recreation Advisory Two council members ~Four per year 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Committee
Protective Services Committee Four council members Third Wednesday 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
~Five per year
Vehicle Axle Weight Three council members ~Four per year 1 hour
Committee
Warburg Fire District - Three council members One per month 7 to 9 p.m.
Borderless Fire Services Model
Update Committee
External appointments
Meeting name Participants Frequency Time
Alberta Capital Region One council member Third Friday per month 9 a.m. to noon
Wastewater Commission
(ACRWC)
Alternative Land Use Services One council member Four-to-five times per year 9 to 11 a.m.
(ALUS) Partnership Advisory
Committee (PAC)
Page 11 of 30Alliance of Pigeon Lake One council member One per month 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Municipalities (APLM)
Beaver Hills Biosphere / Beaver One council member One per month 1 to 3 p.m.
Hills Initiative (BHI)
Coordinating Committee
Capital Region Southwest Two council members Third Thursday of every 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Water Services Commission other month (six per year)
(CRSWSC)
Edmonton Global One council member One per month
Edmonton International Two council members One per year Two hours
Airport (EIA) Noise Advisory
Committee
Edmonton Metropolitan
Region Board (EMRB)
- Committee of the Whole Mayor Six per year Half day
- Audit & Finance Committee Mayor One per month Half day
- Metropolitan Region Servicing One council member Six per year Half day
Plan (MRSP) Standing
Committee
- Regional Agriculture Master One council member Six per year Half day
Plan (RAMP) Task Force
Committee
Edmonton Region Waste One council member One per month
Advisory Committee
Edmonton Regional Airports Mayor One per year Two hours
Authority
Edmonton Regional Airports Mayor As required Three hours
Authority - Airport Accord
Oversight Committee
Intermunicipal Liaison Mayor and two council As required Two-to-three hours
Committee members
Intermunicipal Planning One council member As required Two-to-three hours
Framework (IPF) Oversight
Committee
Leduc, Nisku and Wetaskiwin One council member Fourth Wednesday per 7 to 9 a.m.
Region Chamber of Commerce month
Leduc and District Regional One council member Third Wednesday per 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Waste Management Authority month
Leduc (City) Parks, Recreation One council member Third Thursday per month 5:30 to 7 p.m.
and Culture Board
Leduc Regional Housing Two council members Fourth Thursday per month 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Foundation
North Saskatchewan Two council members One per month
Watershed Alliance
Pembina River Association of All council members Four per year 9 a.m. to noon
Municipal Districts (District 3)
Pigeon Lake Watershed One council member Six-to-eight per year 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Steering Committee
Warburg Seed Cleaning Co-op One council member One per month 7 to 9 p.m.
Ltd. Board of Directors
Page 12 of 30Quasi-judicial appointments
Meeting name Participants Frequency Time
Intermunicipal Subdivision and Maximum of one As required; 9 a.m. to noon
Development Appeal Board council member per ~Eight-to-12 per year
hearing (training
required)
Regional Assessment Review Maximum of one As required/one per year TBD
Board council member per
hearing (training
required)
Joint meetings and regional initiatives
Leduc County participates in a variety of regional initiatives and works to ensure neighbouring
municipalities share common economic and development goals. We are committed to working with our
neighbours.
Council members can expect to attend a number of meetings with surrounding municipalities
throughout the year. These are typically held in the evening.
Meeting procedures
Council members must adhere to the Meeting Procedure Bylaw [Bylaw 4-21].
Compensation
Council members are compensated an annual salary, as determined by council in the annual budget
($78,663 as of 2020). The mayor is compensated an additional 20 per cent of this amount and the
deputy mayor is compensated an additional five per cent.
Council members may receive compensation from their external appointments. These amounts go
directly to the council member but must be accounted for in the annual financial statement.
Benefits
Council members receive the following benefits, paid by the county:
extended health coverage
dental coverage
group life coverage
accidental death and dismemberment coverage
Employee and Family Assistance Program
Employer portion of Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contribution or retirement allowance of $2,500
Page 13 of 30Expense reimbursement
Council expenses – including travel, accommodation, home internet and more – are made publicly
available each month.
Travel and accommodation
Leduc County reimburses council members for reasonable travel and accommodation costs incurred in
the course of conducting county business. Mileage to certain common destinations is reimbursed in
accordance with the current mileage rate.
Council members must submit expense claims for reimbursement within 60 days of the expense(s) being
incurred.
Home internet service
Leduc County reimburses council members for home internet service to a maximum of $60 per month
upon the submission of an invoice.
Training
Council members may participate in the Elected Official Education Program – a jointly owned subsidiary
of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) and Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) – or
another educational program. Reimbursement is detailed in the Councillor Fees and Expenses policy.
Other expense reimbursement
Councillors will be reimbursed for other expenses such as communication devices and laptop computers
in accordance with the current Councillor Fees and Expenses policy.
Office equipment
Offices
Each council member will be assigned an office at Leduc County Centre.
Council members will determine the seating arrangement in council chamber at the annual
organizational meeting.
Computers and cellular devices
Leduc County provides the computers and cellular devices required by a council member to carry out
business for the county. Leduc County assumes responsibility for all costs associated with the purchase
and use of computers and cellular devices.
Disqualification of councillors
As per section 174 of the Municipal Government Act:
(1) A councillor is disqualified from council if:
(a) when the councillor was nominated, the councillor was not eligible for nomination as a
candidate under the Local Authorities Election Act;
Page 14 of 30(b) the councillor ceases to be eligible for nomination as a candidate under the Local
Authorities Election Act;
(b.1) the councillor
(i) fails to file a disclosure statement as required under section 147.4 of the Local
Authorities Election Act before the end of the late filing period provided under
section 147.7 of the Local Authorities Election Act, and
(ii) has not been relieved from the obligation to file a disclosure statement by a court
order under section 147.8 of the Local Authorities Election Act;
(c) the councillor becomes a judge of a court or a member of the Senate or House of
Commons of Canada or of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta;
(d) the councillor is absent from all regular council meetings held during any period of eight
consecutive weeks, starting with the date that the first meeting is missed, unless
subsection (2) applies;
(e) the councillor is convicted
(i) of an offence punishable by imprisonment for five or more years, or
(ii) of an offence under section 123, 124 or 125 of the Criminal Code (Canada);
(f) the councillor does not vote on a matter at a council meeting at which the councillor is
present, unless the councillor is required or is permitted to abstain from voting under this
or any other enactment;
(g) the councillor contravenes section 172;
(h) the councillor has a pecuniary interest in an agreement that is not binding on the
municipality under section 173;
(i) the councillor uses information obtained through being on council to gain a pecuniary
benefit in respect of any matter;
(j) the councillor becomes an employee of the municipality;
(k) the councillor is liable to the municipality under section 249.
(2) A councillor is not disqualified by being absent from regular council meetings under
subsection (1)(d) if
(a) the absence is authorized by a resolution of council passed at any time
(i) before the end of the last regular meeting of the council in the 8-week period, or
(ii) if there is no other regular meeting of the council during the 8-week period, before
the end of the next regular meeting of the council,
or
(b) the absence is in accordance with a bylaw under section 144.1.
(3) For the purposes of this section, a councillor is not considered to be absent from a council
meeting if the councillor is absent on council business at the direction of council.
(4) A councillor who is disqualified under this section is eligible to be elected at the next
general election in the municipality if the person is eligible for nomination under the Local
Authorities Election Act.
Page 15 of 30Seeking election
If becoming a council member sounds like the job for you, the following information will help you seek
election.
Important dates
Election day: Monday Oct. 18, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Nomination day: Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 from 10 a.m. to noon
Nominations are accepted from Jan. 1 to Sept. 20 at noon
Advance voting: Thursday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6
p.m.
Candidate eligibility
You can become a candidate if the following apply to you:
you are 18 years of age on nomination day
you are a Canadian citizen
you reside in the electoral division in which you intend to run for the six consecutive months
immediately preceding nomination day
Candidate ineligibility
You are not eligible to become a candidate if any of the following apply to you:
you are the auditor of the municipality
you are an employee of the municipality, unless you have taken a leave of absence
your current property taxes are more than $50 in arrears
you are in default for any other debt to the municipality in excess of $500 for more than 90 days
you have been convicted of any offense under the Local Authorities Election Act or the Canada
Elections Act in the previous 10 years
For specific eligibility and ineligibility descriptions for candidates, refer to sections 21 and 22 of the Local
Authorities Election Act.
Nomination process
Candidate nominations are accepted from Jan. 1 to Sept. 20, 2021; candidates must file their
nomination forms and the required $100 deposit by Sept. 20 at noon.
Page 16 of 30Candidates can call Leduc County’s returning officer, Joyce Gavan, at 780-770-9259 to arrange for a
meeting to submit nomination forms. Candidates can also submit nomination forms on nomination day
(Sept. 20, 2021) between 10 a.m. and noon at the following address:
Leduc County Centre
Room 241
1101 5 St.
Nisku, AB
Candidates are encouraged to deliver their nomination forms in person; however, anyone may file
nomination papers on the candidate’s behalf.
Nomination forms
Candidates who seek nomination must complete the following forms (available at leduc-
county.com/election):
Form 4 - Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance
Form 5 - Candidate Information
Nomination forms must be signed by at least five voters eligible to vote in the election and who reside in
the same electoral division as the candidate. To ensure validity of nomination forms, a candidate is
encouraged to submit more than the required five elector’s signatures.
As per section 27(1) of the Local Authorities Election Act:
Every nomination of a candidate must:
(a) be in the prescribed form,
(b) be signed by at least 5 persons who are electors eligible to vote in that election and
resident in the local jurisdiction on the date of signing the nomination,
(c) be accompanied with a written acceptance sworn or affirmed in the prescribed form by the
person nominated,
(d) if required by bylaw, be accompanied with a deposit in the required amount.
The person nominated as a candidate is responsible for ensuring the nomination filed meets the
requirements of the Local Authorities Election Act, under section 27.
Nomination deposit
Leduc County requires a deposit of $100 be submitted alongside nomination papers, as per the
Nomination Deposit – Municipal Election Bylaw [Bylaw 3-21], and as allowed under section 29(2)(b) of
the Local Authorities Election Act.
Withdrawal of nomination
As per section 32 of the Local Authorities Election Act:
(1) A person nominated as a candidate may withdraw as a candidate at any time during the
nomination period.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), at any time within 24 hours after the close of the nomination
period, if more than the required number of candidates for any particular office are
Page 17 of 30nominated, any person so nominated may withdraw as a candidate for the office for which
the candidate was nominated by filing with the returning officer a withdrawal in writing.
(3) If, after one or more candidates have withdrawn in accordance with subsection (2), the
number of remaining candidates does not exceed the number of vacancies to be filled, the
returning officer shall refuse to accept further withdrawals.
Candidate’s representatives
Official agent
As per section 68.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act:
(1) Each person nominated as a candidate may, on the nomination form, appoint an elector to
be the candidate’s official agent.
(1.1) If it becomes necessary to appoint a new official agent, the candidate shall immediately
notify the returning officer in writing of the contact information of the new official agent.
(2) A person who has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under this
Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada
Elections Act (Canada) is not eligible to be appointed as an official agent.
(3) No candidate shall act as an official agent for any other candidate.
(4) The duties of an official agent are those assigned to the official agent by the candidate.
Candidate’s scrutineer
As per section 69 of the Local Authorities Election Act:
(1) If, at any time during voting hours, a person who is at least 18 years old presents to the
presiding deputy a written notice, in a form acceptable to the returning officer,
(a) signed by a candidate, and
(b) stating that the person presenting the notice is to represent that candidate as the
candidate’s scrutineer at the voting station,
the person presenting the notice shall be recognized by the presiding deputy as the
scrutineer of the candidate.
(1.1) A person who has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under this
Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada
Elections Act (Canada) is not eligible to be recognized as a scrutineer.
(2) Before a person is recognized as a scrutineer, the person shall make and subscribe before
the presiding deputy at the voting station a statement in the prescribed form.
(3) The presiding deputy shall not permit a candidate to have an official agent or a scrutineer
present while the candidate is present in a voting station during voting hours.
(3.1) The presiding deputy shall not permit a candidate to have both an official agent and a
scrutineer present at the same time in a voting station during voting hours.
(4) A candidate or official agent personally may
(a) undertake the duties that the candidate’s scrutineer may undertake, and
(b) attend any place that the candidate’s scrutineer is authorized by this Act to attend.
Page 18 of 30(5) The presiding deputy may designate the place or places at a voting station where a
candidate, an official agent or a scrutineer of a candidate may observe the election
procedure, and in designating the place or places, the presiding deputy shall ensure that
the candidate, official agent or scrutineer can observe any person making a statement
under section 53(1)(b) or (2) or 78.
(6) When, in the provisions of the Act that relate to the election of a member of an elected
authority, expressions are used requiring or authorizing an act or thing to be done or
implying that an act or thing is to be done in the presence of an official agent, a scrutineer
or a candidate, the expression is deemed to refer to the presence of those as official agents
and scrutineers
(a) that are authorized to attend, and
(b) that have in fact attended at the time and place where that act or thing is being done,
and if the act or thing is otherwise properly done, the non-attendance of an official agent
or a scrutineer at that time and place does not invalidate it.
Person objected to
As per section 54 of the Local Authorities Election Act:
(1) If a candidate or the candidate’s official agent or scrutineer objects to a person who makes
a statement, a deputy shall note in the voting register the reason for the objection and the
name of the candidate or official agent or scrutineer making the objection and shall initial
the objection.
(1.1) A candidate, official agent or scrutineer may only make an objection under subsection (1)
at the time the person makes the statement under section 53(1)(b) or (2) or 78.
(2) If a returning officer on reasonable and probable grounds believes that a person is not
eligible to be an elector, the returning officer must note in the elector register the reason
for the belief and initial it.
Advertising rules
The election advertising period runs from May 1 to Oct. 18, 2021.
Use of Leduc County logo
The Leduc County logo is not allowed to be used by candidates on any displays, such as advertisements,
handbills, placards, posters, circulars, pamphlets, newspapers or other materials.
Advertisement distribution
As per section 152 of the Local Authorities Election Act:
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who, at an advance vote or on election day,
(a) displays within a building used for a voting station or within the boundaries of the
land on which a building used for a voting station is located, or
(b) distributes within a building used for a voting station or within the boundaries of the
land on which the building used for a voting station is located,
Page 19 of 30an advertisement, handbill, placard, poster, circular, pamphlet, newspaper or other paper
except those posted by the deputy in accordance with this Act is guilty of an offence and
liable to a fine of not more than $500.
(2) When a voting station is located in a building containing a complex of interlocking offices,
stores or other facilities, the prohibition in subsection (1) applies only to the store, office or
facility comprising the area used as a voting station.
Third-party advertising
The Local Authorities Election Act was amended in 2018 to address third-party advertising in municipal
elections. Recent changes to the act came into force on Sept. 1, 2020 and made further changes to
third-party advertising. A summary of the recent changes can be found in the fact sheet from Alberta
Municipal Affairs.
Signage
All election signage must be removed by midnight on Oct. 21 (three days after election day). After that
period, all signs will be removed by Leduc County, and costs for removal and disposal will be charged
back to the candidate(s) who own the signs.
In accordance with Land Use Bylaw 7-08, you do not need a development permit for elections signs on
privately-owned land [part 3.2.1(m)] and you need prior approval to place a sign on public lands [part
8.1.10].
You do not need a permit to install an election sign along a provincial highway, but must follow the
below provincial guidelines:
The maximum sign size permitted in a highway right-of-way (the existing highway limits) is 1.5
square metres (16 square feet).
Signs must be placed no closer than two metres (6.5 feet) from the edge of pavement, or in the
case of gravel roads, no closer than two metres (6.5 feet) from the shoulder of the road.
No election signs are allowed within the median of a divided provincial highway.
No election signs can be mounted on highway signs or sign posts.
No election signs can be placed in or within 500 metres (1,640 feet) of construction zones.
No election signs are allowed to obstruct a driver's view of an intersection in an urban area or
within 250 metres (820 feet) of an intersection in a rural area.
Election signs must be kept neat and clean in appearance, and the sign owner must remove
damaged or vandalized signs immediately.
The sign owner is liable for all damages, losses and expenses resulting from the installation and
removal of any election signs installed or erected in breach of the Land Use Bylaw and/or
provincial guidelines.
Page 20 of 30Candidate’s financial disclosure requirements
You must be aware of the legislative requirements you must adhere to part 5.1 of the Local Authorities
Election Act (LAEA).
Campaign period
The campaign period for the 2021 municipal election begins Jan. 1 and ends Dec. 31, 2021.
Allowable election expenses
A campaign expense means any expense incurred (including a non-monetary contribution received) by a
candidate to the extent that the property or service is used to directly promote or oppose a candidate
during a campaign period. The expense or non-monetary contribution includes:
The production of advertising or promotional material.
The distribution, broadcast or publication of advertising or promotional material in any media or
by any other means during a campaign period, including by the use of a capital asset.
The payment of remuneration and expenses to or on behalf of a person for the person’s services
as a chief financial officer or in any other capacity.
Securing a meeting place.
The conduct of election surveys or other surveys or research during a campaign period.
The production of a review engagement required by the LAEA.
What is a contribution?
A contribution means any money, personal property, real property or service that is provided to, or for,
the benefit of a candidate’s election campaign without fair market value compensation from the
candidate. This does not include a service provided by an individual who voluntarily performs the
services and receives no compensation, directly or indirectly, in relation to the services or time spent
providing the services.
The value of a contribution, other than money, provided to a candidate is the fair market value of the
contribution at the time it was provided. If a non-monetary contribution is provided for a price that is
less than fair market value, the amount which the value exceeds the price is considered a contribution
under LAEA, Part 5.1.
Limitations on contributions
Only a person ordinarily residing in Alberta can make contributions to candidates. No individual residing
outside of Alberta or prohibited organization may make a contribution to a candidate. Prohibited
organizations include corporations and unincorporated organizations, including trade unions and
employee organizations.
No individual residing in Alberta shall contribute in any campaign period an amount that exceeds $5,000
to any candidate for election as a councillor and $5,000 to any candidate for election as a school board
trustee.
Page 21 of 30A candidate may contribute up to $10,000 of the candidate’s own funds that is not reimbursed to the
candidate from the candidate’s campaign account. Any amount paid by a candidate for campaign
expenses from the candidate’s own funds not reimbursed, is a contribution to the candidate’s own
campaign.
No candidate and no person acting on behalf of a candidate shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept a
contribution if the candidate or person knows or ought to know that the prospective contributor is a
prohibited organization or an individual residing outside Alberta.
No candidate or person acting on behalf of a candidate shall solicit or accept a contribution if the
candidate or person knows or ought to know that the amount of the contribution will exceed the
amounts referred to above.
Responsibility of contributors
Before making a contribution, a prospective contributor is responsible for ensuring that they are not
prohibited from making the contribution and are not making a contribution that is in excess of the limit
prescribed by section 147.2(3).
Every candidate and every person acting on behalf of a candidate shall make every reasonable effort to
advise prospective contributors of this Part relating to contributions.
A prohibited organization or a person acting on its behalf that contravenes this section is guilty of an
offence and is liable to a fine of not more than $10,000.
An individual who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine of not more than
$5,000.
Acceptance of contributions
Contributions cannot be accepted and expenses cannot be incurred unless the person has been
nominated as a candidate.
A candidate cannot accept contributions except during a campaign period.
The provisions above do not apply to a person who accepts no more than $5,000 in the aggregate per
year in contributions outside the campaign period, or who contributes up to $10,000 in the aggregate
per year to their own campaign from their own funds.
A candidate who contravenes section 147.22(1) or (2) is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine of not
more than $1,000.
Duties of a candidate
A candidate must ensure that:
A campaign account in the name of the candidate’s election campaign or of the candidate is
open at a financial institution for the purposes of the election campaign at the time of
nomination or as soon as possible after contributions exceed $1,000 in total.
Page 22 of 30If a campaign account has been opened, all contributions of money are deposited into the
campaign account.
Money in the account shall only be used for the payment of campaign expenses.
Contributions of real property, personal property and services are valued.
Receipts are issued for every contribution and obtained for every expense.
Records are kept of contributions and campaign expenses and are retained by the candidate for
a period of three years following the date on which disclosure statements were required to be
filed.
Proper direction is provided to the candidate’s official agent and any other person who is
authorized to incur campaign expenses and to accept or solicit campaign contributions.
A candidate who contravenes section 147.3 is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not more than
$5,000.
Receipts
Every candidate or person acting on behalf of the candidate shall issue a receipt for every contribution
accepted in a form acceptable to the local jurisdiction. At a minimum, receipts should include the date
of the contribution, name and address of the contributor, and the amount contributed.
Campaign disclosure statements
Every candidate (including a candidate who withdraws) is required to file a disclosure statement (Form
26 – Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement – forms are available at Alberta.ca) with
the municipality on or before March 1, 2022 (immediately following the general election).
In the case of a by-election, the disclosure statement must be filed no later than 120 days after the date
of the by-election.
The disclosure statement must include the following:
The total amount of all campaign contributions received during the campaign period that did
not exceed $50 in the aggregate from any single contributor.
The total amount contributed, together with, the contributor’s name and address, for each
contributor whose contributions during the campaign period exceeded $50 in total.
The total amount of contributions received outside of the campaign period (not exceeding
contributions of $5,000 in total per year, or candidate contributions of $10,000 in the total per
year).
The total amount from fundraising functions.
The total amount of other revenue.
The total amount of campaign expenses.
An itemized campaign expense report setting out the campaign expenses incurred by the
candidate.
The total amount of money paid by the candidate.
The total amount of any surplus, including any surplus from previous campaigns.
The amount of any deficit.
Page 23 of 30A candidate who incurs campaign expenses or receives contributions of $50,000 or more, shall file a
review engagement with the disclosure statement. Review engagements are defined in the Chartered
Professional Accountants Act.
A candidate who withdraws must also file a disclosure statement.
Within 30 days, a candidate must submit a supplementary statement in the prescribed form to the
municipality if any of the information reported in the disclosure statement has changed or is inaccurate.
The municipality must ensure all documents filed are available to the public during regular business
hours for four years after the election.
A candidate who fails to file the disclosure statement by April 1, 2022 (in the year following a general
election) is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not more than $5,000. In the case of a by-election,
the disclosure statement must be filed within 150 days after the by-election.
Campaign surplus
On or before March 1, 2022 (120 days in the case of a by-election), if the candidate’s disclosure
statement shows a surplus, the candidate, within 60 days:
(a) shall, with respect to any amount that is $1,000 or more, donate an amount to a registered
charity that results in the surplus being less than $1,000, and
(b) may, with respect to any amount that is less than $1,000,
i) retain all or any portion of that amount, and
ii) donate all or any portion that amount to a registered charity.
A candidate who donates an amount to a registered charity must within 30 days after the 60-day period
provided above, file an amended disclosure statement showing the surplus has been dealt with.
This applies to a candidate whether or not they are elected.
A candidate is guilty of an offence if they fail to submit the supplementary statement within 30 days and
liable to a fine of not more than $5,000.
Campaign deficit
If a candidate’s disclosure statement shows a deficit, the candidate shall eliminate the deficit within 60
days after filing the disclosure statement with the municipality. For the purposes of eliminating a deficit,
a candidate may accept contributions within the 60-day period.
A candidate shall not accept a contribution that exceeds $5,000 from any individual and may make a
contribution from the candidate’s own funds that does not exceed $10,000 for the purpose of
eliminating a deficit.
A candidate must, within 30 days after the expiration of the 60-day period, file an amended disclosure
statement showing the deficit has been eliminated.
Page 24 of 30A candidate is guilty of an offence if they fail to submit the supplementary statement within 30 days and
liable to a fine of not more than $5,000.
Late filing
A candidate who fails to file a campaign disclosure statement within the specified time period is
required to pay a $500 late filing fee to the municipality. If the fee is not paid within 30 days, the
municipality must send a notice to the candidate indicating the amount of the late filing fee to be paid.
If a candidate fails to file a disclosure statement, the secretary shall transmit a report to council and
upon receipt, the report must be made public. If a candidate files their disclosure statement no later
than 10 days after the filing deadline, the candidate is not required to form part of the report
proceeding to council.
If a candidate, who is sent a notice by the municipality, fails to pay the late filing fee, the municipality
may file a notice with the Court of Queen’s Bench.
Voter requirements
Rules of residence
As per section 48 of the Local Authorities Election Act:
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the place of residence is governed by the following rules:
(a) a person may be a resident of only one place at a time for the purposes of voting
under this Act;
(a.1) if a person has more than one residence in Alberta, that person shall, in accordance
with subsection (1.1), designate one place of residence as the person’s place of
residence for the purposes of this Act;
(b) the residence of a person is the place where the person lives and sleeps and to which,
when the person is absent, the person intends to return;
(c) a person does not lose the person’s residence by leaving the person’s home for a
temporary purpose;
(d) subject to clause (e), a student who
(i) attends an educational institution within or outside Alberta,
(ii) temporarily rents accommodation for the purpose of attending an educational
institution, and
(iii) has family members who are resident in Alberta and with whom the student
ordinarily resides when not attending an educational institution
is deemed to reside with those family members;
(e) if a person leaves the area with the intention of making the person’s residence
elsewhere, the person loses the person’s residence within the area.
(1.1) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a.1), a person shall designate the person’s place of
resident in accordance with the following factors in the following order of priority:
Page 25 of 30(a) the address shown on the person’s driver’s licence or motor vehicle operator’s licence
issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta or an identification card issued by
or on behalf of the Government of Alberta;
(b) the address to which the person’s income tax correspondence is addressed and
delivered;
(c) the address to which the person’s mail is addressed and delivered.
(2) A person who is a resident of a public school division or of a separate school division under
the Education Act is deemed to be a resident of the public school division or that separate
school division, as the case may be, under this Act.
Voter identification
Section 53 of the Local Authorities Election Act includes a requirement for a person to provide proof of
identity and current residence in order to vote.
Under section 53(3), Leduc County passed its Voter Identification Bylaw [Bylaw 5-13] which states a
person who attends a voting station to vote in an election held pursuant to the Local Authorities Election
Act – for which Leduc County is responsible to conduct, either as the elected authority or pursuant to an
agreement with another elected authority – must produce, for inspection by a deputy returning officer
of the voting station:
one piece of valid government-issued identification containing the voter's photograph, current
address and name; OR
two pieces from the following list:
Canadian military identification
birth certificate
Alberta Personal Health Card
baptismal certificate
Alberta identification card
Social Insurance Number card
certificate of Canadian citizenship
Royal Canadian Mounted Police identification card
Veteran's Affairs Canada identification card
Old Age Security (OAS) card
student identification card
credit/debit card
library card
hospital/medical card
fishing, trapping or hunting license
marriage certificate
firearms license possession - acquisition
firearms - possession only license
any other piece of identification acceptable to the deputy returning officer
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