Candidate Information

How to become a Candidate?

Candidate Nomination Guide

The package was updated February 9, 2021 to advise that Elected Officials will be able to participate in the health benefits package if they are elected)

This package may be printed upon request.

Are you qualified to be a candidate in the upcoming election? (see Section 21: Qualification of Candidates of the LAEA):

  • a person that is eligible to vote in that election;
  • a person that has been a resident of the Town of St. Paul for 6 consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day (September 20, 2021).

Click here to view the Candidate's Guide: Running for Municipal Office in Alberta (applicable for the 2021 general election year ONLY).

What are some of the important meetings/dates that I need to attend if I am elected?

Organizational Meeting
October 28, 2021 (Town Hall)
Individual Photos: 4:30 pm
Group Photos: 5:15 pm
Meeting start time: 6:00 pm with the Swearing-In Ceremony

Council Orientation provided by Daina Young, RMRF
November 4th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Multi-Purpose Room)
November 5th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (Multi-Purpose Room)

1st Regular Council Meeting after election
November 8, 2021 (Town Hall or Virtual - TBD)

Munis 101: Council Orientation (General)
November 9 & 10, 2021 (Bonnyville)

AUMA Convention
November 17 & 18, 2021 (Edmonton Convention Centre)

Regular Council Meeting
November 22, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Town Hall or Virtual - TBD)

Regular Council Meeting
December 13, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Town Hall or Virtual - TBD)

Committee of The Whole
December 16, 2021 at 6:00 pm (Town Hall or Virtual - TBD)

Town of St. Paul Christmas Party
December 18, 2021 (Recreation Centre)

Has there been any changes since the last municipal election?

There have been changes since the 2017 Municipal Election that may affect you.  The Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) was recently updated, please click here for a copy.

Life as a Municipal Elected Official

Life as a Municipal Elected Official - The Joy of Community Building

Click here to watch the video presented by Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) and Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA).

Other helpful videos can be found here.

Am I ineligible to become a candidate?

Check Eligibility

Are you ineligible to be a candidate in the upcoming election? (see Section 22: Ineligibility of the LAEA)
  • a person is the auditor of the Town of St. Paul;
  • a person is an employee of the Town of St. Paul for which the election is to be held unless the person takes a leave of absence;
  • a person is indebted to the Town of St. Paul of which the person is an election for taxes in default exceeding $50.00;
  • a person is indebted to the Town of St. Paul for which the election is to be held for any debt exceeding $500 and in default for more than 90 days;
  • a person as, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under the LAEA, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act.

 

When does the nomination period start?

The nomination period for the next general election is between January 1, 2021 until September 20, 2021 (12Noon). As January 1st is a statutory holiday, nominations can be received starting January 4, 2021 at the Town Hall Administration office.

What do I need to know about campaign finances?

Know the rules for campaign contributions and expenses.  Take the time to know the rules under Section 5.1: Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure of the LAEA. This is a change from the previous municipal election.

Duties of registered candidates:
  • Open a bank account (at time of nomination or after receiving $1000.00 in contributions);
  • Record contributions and expenditures;
  • Issue receipts for contributions; and
  • Submit a Campaign Disclosure Statement (required by all candidates whether elected or not) to the Local Authority (Town of St. Paul) by March 1, 2022.

*Failure of a candidate to comply can lead to a penalty.
*Candidates must file their nomination papers to the Returning Officer prior to accepting any contributions.

Limitations on Contributors:

  • Only an individual who ordinarily resides in Alberta
  • No prohibited organizations and no individuals ordinarily residents outside of Alberta
  • Limit of $5,000 per contributors
  • Limit of $10,000 of own contribution


Complaints about campaign finance activities related to candidates and third party advertisers can be made to the Alberta Election Commissioner. Learn more about Elections Alberta compliance and enforcement.


Candidates are encouraged to obtain their own legal advice to ensure they understand their obligations under this section. 

What is a scrutineer?

Scrutineers

Scrutineers may be appointed by candidates to observe during the Advance Vote and on Election Day. Scrutineers must be 18 years of age or over. A person convicted of an offence under the Local Authorities Election Act, the Elections Act, or the Canada Elections Act in the past 10 years cannot be a scrutineer.

Scrutineers may observe election process except for voters marking their ballots. Scrutineers may attend more than one voting station. Scrutineers cannot vouch for a person to validate their identity and address.

A candidate can have one scrutineer in a voting station at a time. The candidate, their official agent and a scrutineer cannot be in a voting station at the same time (only one person at time). The scrutineer does not have to remain at the voting station during the whole of voting hours. A scrutineer may change throughout the day. A scrutineer may come and go from the voting station.

The candidate and their official agent or scrutineer are not permitted to be in the voting station at the same time during voting hours or ballot counting. If a candidate or their agent wishes to speak with the scrutineer, it must be outside of the voting station.

Candidates, their official agent or scrutineers must be present in the voting station before 8 p.m. if they wish to view the tallying of the ballots.  NO ONE is permitted to enter the voting station after 8 p.m.

Questions?

We are here to help, please call us if you have any questions and are thinking of becoming a candidate at:
 
Aline Brousseau, Returning Officer  
Ph. 780-645-8540 / 780-645-1766

Jim Laidley, Substitute Returning Officer 
Ph.  780-645-1762

Email: election@town.stpaul.ab.ca