The 2025 election advertising period is May 1, 2025 to October 20, 2025.

Third Party Advertising is a way for others, outside the candidate campaign, to express support or opposition for candidates with the intent to incur expenses or contributions of at least $1,000. It does not include candidates and is separate from any candidate’s campaign. Advertisements or materials that are made and distributed by a candidate or under a candidate’s direction are part of the candidate’s campaign.

Recent amendments to the Local Authorities Election Act (the “LAEA”) include rules governing the finances and accountability of third parties that intend to engage in election advertising. Third parties that intend to engage in election advertising are required to register with Sturgeon County in accordance with Part 8 of the LAEA.

To be eligible to register as a Third Party Advertiser, you must be one of the following:

• An individual who resides in Alberta.
• A group of which all members reside in Alberta.
• A corporation that carries out business in Alberta.
• An Alberta trade union or Alberta employee organization.

Note: Refer to Section 163 of the LAEA for further details.

A Third Party Advertiser must register when either of the following occur: 

• it has incurred expenses of at least $1,000 or plans to incur advertising expenses of at least $1,000 for election advertising, or
• it has accepted advertising contributions of at least $1,000 or plans to accept advertising contributions of at least $1,000.

1. Download and complete the Third Party Registration Form (Form 27)
   Note for Groups and Corporations: include a list of principal officer(s) or principal members.
2. Submit the completed Third Party Registration (Form 27):
   • Via email: election@sturgeoncounty.ca
   • Drop off, mail or courier to the following address:
     Sturgeon County
     Attention: Returning Officer
     9613 100 Street, Morinville, AB, T8R 1L9

A contributor (i.e., individual, corporation, trade union or employee organization) may contribute to more than one third party advertiser. However, their contribution(s) may not exceed $5,000 in total.

All advertisers must provide any contributor, regardless of the contribution amount with a receipt.

The LAEA, Part 8 sets out rules for Election Advertising Contributions and Expenses of Third Party Advertisers.

All registered Third Party Advertisers must file Form 28 and an Advertising Return Report for the period between January 1 and July 31, 2025 on or before September 30, 2025

All registered Third Party Advertisers must file Form 28 and an Advertising Return Report on or before March 1, 2026.

Note: A report listing for all third party advertising contributions received during the election advertising period is required.

How to Submit Your Contribution Statement

1. Download and complete the Contribution Statement (Form 28)
2. Submit the completed Contribution Statement (Form 28) and Advertising Return Report:
   • Via email: election@sturgeoncounty.ca
   • Drop off, mail or courier to the following address:
     Sturgeon County
     Attention: Returning Officer
     9613 100 Street, Morinville, AB, T8R 1L9

In accordance with the LAEA (Section 178(1)), all election advertising expenses must be paid from the third party’s advertising account and every registered third party shall appoint a chief financial officer. Expenditures must be authorized by, and all contributions accepted by, the Chief Financial Officer.

All election advertising expenses paid for by a third party from its advertising account must be recorded in its advertising return report which is due on or before March 1, 2026.

In accordance with the LAEA (Section 182), the Advertising Return Report must include:

• a financial statement.
• a list of all advertising contributions received during the election advertising period.
• an election advertising expense limit report.
• a list of the time and place of broadcast or publication of the advertisements.
• any other supporting information and documents relating to the election advertising return.

This return is due on or before March 1, 2026.

Note: If no advertising expenses were incurred, it must be indicated in the advertising return.

In accordance with the LAEA (Section 185), a registered third party shall retain all of the records of that registered third party for a period of three years following the date on which the financial statements, returns or reports required under the LAEA for the period to which the records relate are required to be filed.