Third Party Advertising

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 the City of Camrose in accordance with Part 8 of the LAEA.

Register as a Third Party Advertiser

Eligibility 

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. 

When do I need to register as a Third Party? 

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.
• notify the City of Camrose of changes to the registration in writing within 30 days.

How to Register as a Third Party Advertiser:

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: elections@camrose.ca
• Drop off, mail or courier to the following address:
  City of Camrose
  Attention: Returning Officer
  5204 50 Avenue, Camrose, AB T4V-0S8

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Third parties that intend to engage in election advertising are required to register with the City of Camrose in accordance with Part 8 of the LAEA.

What if I need to change the information on my registration form?
Third Party Advertisers must notify the City of Camrose in writing of any changes to the required information within 30 days after the change. Email the details of the change to elections@camrose.ca

Are there any name restrictions for a Third Party Advertiser?
In accordance with the LAEA, Section 163(5), a Third Party Advertiser will not be allowed to register if its proposed name or abbreviations of the name include one of the following: 

• Resembles the name of a registered Third Party Advertiser.
• Resembles the name or nickname of a candidate active in the City of Camrose or anywhere in the province, where confusion is likely.
• The proposed name was the name of a registered third party whose registration with the City of Camrose was cancelled or whose name was changed since the last election.

What are the Limitations to Contributions?
Contribution(s) may not exceed $5,000 in total. For example, an individual may contribute $1,000 to three (3) different Third Party Advertisers.

Their total contributions, however, cannot exceed $5,000.

How long must Third Party Advertisers retain records from the 2025 Municipal Election?
Records must be retained for three years (until March 1, 2028). However, refer to the LAEA, Section 185 for further details and clarification.

What is Election Advertising?
In accordance with the LAEA, Section 162(d), Election Advertising is the transmission to the public of an advertising message that promotes or opposes a candidate or takes position on an issue that is the subject of a vote on a bylaw or question 

Election Advertising includes: 

• Canvassing for the benefit of a candidate.
• Organizing events where the primary purpose of the event is to promote or oppose a candidate.
• TV, radio, newspaper ads.
• Signs, billboards, posters.
• Newsletters, brochures, mailing inserts.
• Ads on the internet with a placement cost (pay-per-click, paid social media, pop-up ads, etc.).

Election advertising does NOT include: 

• Editorial, debate, speech, interview, column, letter, news.
• Book distribution or promotion.
• Communication by a corporation to employees or shareholders.
• Sharing political views on the internet (blogs, posts on social media that are not paid).
• Phone calls encouraging voter participation.
• Advertising by local jurisdictions (e.g., The City of Camrose).
• Unintended information/advertising in another jurisdiction.

What are the Advertising Requirements?
As required in the  LAEA, Section 179, all Third Party Advertisers sponsored election advertising must include the following three elements:

1. Third Party Advertisers Name
2. Contact Information.
3. Indicate whether the third party authorizes the election advertising.

Additional Requirements can be found under Section 179(b) and (c) of the LAEA.

Does a Third Party Advertiser require an expense advertising account?
All election advertising expenses must be paid from the Third Party Advertiser's advertising account.

Every Third Party Advertiser must appoint a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and all expenses must be authorized by the Chief Financial Officer for their delegate.

How are Campaign Contributions and Third Party Advertiser advertising different?