Third Party Advertising - Red Deer Elections

Learn about requirements for third party advertisers, registration and financial disclosures.

Recent amendments to the Local Authorities Election Act include rules regarding the finances and accountability of third parties that intend to engage in election advertising.

"Election Advertising" is the transmission to the public by any means during an election advertising period (May 1 to October 18, 2021) of an advertising message that promotes or opposes the election of a candidate, including an advertising message that takes a position on an issue with which a candidate or a council is associated.

Register as a Third Party

Third parties are required to register with the local jurisdiction they intend to advertise in, if they have incurred or plan to incur expenses of at least $1,000 for election advertising, or have accepted or plan to accept at least $1,000 in election advertising contributions.

If you are interested in registering as a third party:

Review the requirements outlined in Part 8 of the Local Authorities Election Act and, if required, obtain legal advice regarding the full extent of obligations;
Complete FORM 27 - Registration of a Third Party (pdf) ;
File your completed Registration of a Third Party form with the Returning Officer.

If you require printed copies of the form, please contact us.

Note: If a third party advertiser intends on advertising in 10 or more municipalities, they can register with Provincial Registrar instead of registering in each individual municipality. Contact Municipal Affairs for more information.

For more information on third party advertising, check out Third Party Advertising Guidelines for Local Elections in Alberta.

Third Party Advertising Contribution Statement

Third party advertisers are required to file disclosure statements detailing advertisements, expenses, and contributions received on FORM 28 - Third Party Advertising Contribution Statement (pdf) . Third party advertisers are required to know who is eligible to make a contribution, expense limits and all reporting requirements to the municipality.

If you require printed copies of the form, please contact us.