Contributions, Expenses and Disclosures

Election advertising contributions are provided directly to a Third Party Advertiser, and can only be made by individuals, groups or corporations who reside and operate in Alberta (see below for a full list of eligible and ineligible contributors). A contributor may contribute to more than one Third Party Advertiser. However, their contribution(s) may not exceed $5,000 in total.

Contributors

All Third Party Advertisers must provide any contributor, regardless of the contribution amount, with a receipt which must include the following information:

  • Contributor’s full name
  • Contributor’s address
  • Amount contributed
  • Date the contribution was made to, or received by the candidate
  • Date the receipt was provided back to the contributor
  • Type of contribution (monetary or valued/in-kind)

Election advertising contributions can only be accepted from eligible contributors.

Eligible contributors include:

  • Alberta residents.
  • Alberta trade unions or Alberta employee organizations.
  • Corporations that do business in Alberta.

Contributors are responsible for ensuring that they are eligible and that they do not exceed their contribution limits.

Ineligible contributors include:

  • (a) An individual that is ordinarily a resident outside Alberta.
  • (b) A prohibited corporation as defined in the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.
  • (c) A trade union or employee organization that is not an Alberta trade union or Alberta employee organization.
  • (d) A registered charity.
  • (e) A group of which any member of the group is ineligible under clause (a), (b), or (c). 
  • A prohibited corporation (as defined in the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act section 1(1)(i).
Contributions

What is considered a contribution?

Advertising contributions include any money and non-monetary contributions (e.g. properties, goods or services) for the benefit of the third party.

Refer to Section 162(1)(b) of the Local Alberta Elections Act for the complete definition of advertising contributions.

Valuing contributions other than money

The value of advertising contributions, other than money, provided to a third party is the market value of the advertising contributions at that time. If any real property, goods or services or the use of real property, goods or services is provided to a third party for a price that is less than the market value at that time, the amount by which the value exceeds the price is an advertising contribution.

Contributions $50 or less

A contribution of $50 or less is not considered an election advertising contribution. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Third Party Advertiser must still record the aggregate amount as part of the disclosure.

Advertising Account

Election advertising contributions must be deposited into the Third Parties Advertiser’s advertising account.

If surplus funds remain after the election, a Third Party Advertiser may:

  1. Continue to hold funds to be used in the next election advertising period, OR
  2. 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 Spruce Grove

 Anonymous contributions

Anonymous contributions in excess of $50 must be returned to the contributor if their identity can be established. If their identify cannot be established, the contributions must be paid to the local jurisdiction (The City of Spruce Grove). 

Expenses and Receipts

All election advertising expenses must be paid from the Third Party Advertiser’s advertising account.

Expense limits

Expense limits apply during the election year advertising period (May 1, 2025 – Oct. 20, 2025)

Third party advertisers are permitted to spend $0.50 per person based on the population of the municipality during the election year advertising period which is May 1, 2025 to October 20, 2025. 

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

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

Fund-raising event ticket prices

When a fund-raising event ticket is $50 or less, up to half of the ticket value can be allowed for expenses. When the event ticket is between $50 and $100, $25 is allowed for expenses. When the event ticket is more than $100, 25 per cent of the amount is allowed for expenses.

Contribution Disclosure Requirements

A Third Party Advertiser who engages in election advertising must file a the Third Party Advertising Contribution Statement, with the City of Spruce Grove by March 1, 2026, identifying contributions received during the election advertising period. The Third Party Advertising Contribution Statement will identify the amount of all advertising contributions that did not exceed $250 in total from any single donor and each contributor who did exceed $250 in contributions, include name and address of contributor, the amount and date of each contribution.

How to Submit Your Contribution Statement

The completed Third Party Advertising Contribution Statement can be submitted using one of the following methods:

  • schedule an appointment with the Returning Officer by emailing at elections@sprucegrove.org  or calling 780-962-7634 Ext. 425
  • by email at elections@sprucegrove.org
  • by dropping them off in the secure dropbox beside the east doors of City Hall (315 Jespersen Avenue), or
  • by mail or courier to the City of Spruce Grove (c/o Returning Officer, 315 Jespersen Avenue, Spruce Grove, Alberta T7X 3E8)

Late Filing

Failure to file a Third Party Advertising Contribution Statement will result in an automatic $500 late filing fee.

Maintain Records

In accordance with the Local Alberta Elections Act, 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 legislation for the period to which the records relate are required to be filed.