2021 Election

Are you qualified to become a candidate?

To become a municipal candidate you must be:

• at least 18 years of age on nomination day, a
• Canadian citizen,
• and you must have been a resident of the local jurisdiction for the six consecutive months immediately preceding Nomination Day.

Ineligibility for Nomination

No one is eligible to become a candidate under any of the following circumstances:

• if you are the auditor of the municipality;
• if your property taxes are more than $50 in arrears (excluding indebtedness on current taxes, and indebtedness for arrears of taxes for which the person has entered into a consolidation agreement with the municipality);
• if you are in default for any other debt to the municipality in excess of $500 for more than 90 days; or
• if within the previous 10 years you have been convicted of an offense under the Local Authorities Election Act, the Election Act, Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act, or the Canada Elections Act.

Other Considerations

Time Commitment

The demands on your time while being an elected official can be heavy. You will be elected for a four-year term of office and during that time you will be required to attend:

• regular and special meetings of council;
• council committee meetings;
• meetings of other boards and agencies to which you are appointed as a council representative;
• conferences, conventions, seminars and workshops for training and discussion; and
• other events promoting your municipality.

Time should also be spent reading agenda material and talking with residents, the chief administrative officer and other relevant stakeholders. This work will all be part of the necessary preparation for meetings so you can make informed decisions.

Remuneration

3.2 Council Remuneration

Roles and Responsibilities of an Elected Official
As a member of council, you will have the opportunity to significantly influence the future of your community. Your effectiveness as a member of council depends on your ability to be an active member of the team and to respectfully persuade the other members of council to adopt and support your view. Decisions of council may only be made by resolution or bylaw and must be made at public meetings, at which a quorum is present. As an elected official, you will also have to find the balance between representing the views of those who elected you and your own individual convictions.

As an individual member of council, you will not have the power to commit your municipality to any expenditure or to direct the activities of the municipal employees alone. Any promise you make as a part of your election campaign that involves municipal expenditures or the activities of employees can only be carried out if you can obtain the support of your fellow council members in carrying out that promise.

Administration of a Municipality
As a member of council, it will be your duty to establish policy for your municipality. It is the job of the administration to implement the policy direction. Alberta municipalities have competent and dedicated administrators. The chief administrative officer (CAO) is often said to be the only direct employee of Council, and you will rely on the support, advice and assistance of your CAO if you are to be an effective member of council. The CAO’s training, experience and understanding of how and why things have developed the way they have will be an important resource for you.

How else can I prepare?
The best way to find out what the job is all about is to spend some time reading relevant municipal documents and talking to current members of council. You may also wish to:

• familiarize yourself with local bylaws and municipal legislation;
• read council agendas and minutes;
• observe council meetings from the gallery; and
• talk to municipal staff to find out what other information is available.