Local Authorities Election Act Amendment
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Government of Alberta to amend the Local Authorities Election Act to strengthen campaign financial reporting transparency, particularly with respect to third party contributions or expenses to support a particular candidate, such as exists for provincial election candidates pursuant to the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.
WHEREAS the Local Authorities Election Act prescribes rules regarding financial disclosure for the campaigns of candidates in municipal elections;
WHEREAS the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act prescribes rules regarding financial disclosure for the campaigns of candidates in provincial elections;
WHEREAS the Local Authorities Election Act lacks the rigour of the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act when it comes to financial reporting and transparency;
WHEREAS it is possible that candidates in some municipalities in past municipal elections have benefitted from donations and fundraising of third parties, including unions;
WHEREAS the Local Authorities Election Act is also silent on who is responsible for verification of the accuracy and completeness of campaign disclosure statements; and
WHEREAS public confidence can suffer if municipal campaign revenues and expenses are not reported in a consistent and transparent manner, particularly regarding third party contributions or spending to support a particular candidate(s).
The Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) prescribes rules for the conduct of municipal elections in the province of Alberta, including requirements for the reporting of candidate campaign contributions. Financial reporting requirements for provincial election candidates are contained within the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.
Across Alberta, some candidates for municipal election also receive direct or indirect contributions or expenses by third parties. Under the current requirements of the LAEA, these contributions or expenses are not required to be reported. Notwithstanding the associated ethical questions, this results in an inconsistency between local authority candidates, an inconsistency with rules at the provincial level, and a lack of transparency overall. Furthermore, the LAEA is silent on the responsibility/accountability for verification of the accuracy and completeness of campaign disclosure statements. Without such language, the effectiveness of the LAEA in regulating campaign financial reporting is seriously compromised.
Resolution will be considered when the LAEA is next reviewed.
AUMA considers this response