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New party system for municipal elections in Calgary, Edmonton sees tepid interest from candidates

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  Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, October 11th 2025 at 12:41 GMT by The Globe and Mail
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Alberta’s Municipal Elections Will Soon Open the Door for Political Parties

In a landmark shift that has stirred debate across the province, Alberta’s Legislative Assembly has amended the Municipal Elections Act to allow political parties to endorse and run candidates in the upcoming municipal elections in Calgary and Edmonton. The change marks the first time in more than two decades that party affiliation can legally appear on ballot papers in the country’s largest cities, reversing a long-standing non‑partisan tradition that began with a 1997 provincial mandate.

The legislation, approved in March 2024, permits party‑affiliated candidates to appear on ballots with the name of the party beside their own, and allows parties to formally endorse candidates and conduct municipal campaigns. The amendments are set to take effect in the 2024 municipal elections, slated for October 15th, and will apply to all city, town, and village elections across the province, though the debate has been most intense in Calgary and Edmonton where partisan politics have long been a topic of contention.

Why the Change Was Made

Premier Danielle Smith, a former member of the United Conservative Party, cited increased demand from citizens for clearer policy alignment and accountability in municipal governance. “When voters know a candidate’s party affiliation, they can better assess that candidate’s stance on issues that matter to them—from housing affordability to transportation infrastructure,” Smith said in a press release. The Premier also highlighted a trend in other Canadian jurisdictions, noting that cities like Toronto and Vancouver have already allowed party affiliation in their municipal elections.

Opposition leaders and some municipal officials, however, warned that reintroducing partisan politics could undermine the collaborative spirit that has historically characterized Alberta’s local governance. “Municipal politics are about serving residents, not advancing a party’s agenda,” said Liberal MLA Ryan Dombek. He argued that non‑partisanship promotes cross‑party collaboration on critical local issues such as water management and public transit, and helps prevent political polarization from spilling into city council decisions.

The legislative change followed a series of consultations with the Alberta Association of Municipalities, the Edmonton and Calgary City Councils, and the Alberta Municipal Reform Coalition. While the Alberta Association of Municipalities endorsed the amendments, citing potential benefits such as increased voter engagement and clearer policy options, it also expressed concerns about the risk of “party politics hijacking municipal priorities.”

How the System Will Work

Under the new rules, a party‑affiliated candidate must file a declaration of endorsement with the municipal election office. The declaration must include the party’s official name, its governing documents, and a statement of the candidate’s policy platform. The party is also required to pay a fee for each endorsed candidate, which will be used to cover administrative costs associated with the updated ballot design and voter education materials.

Municipalities will be responsible for printing ballots that list the candidate’s name alongside the party affiliation. Voters will still be able to cast a single ballot for mayor or councilor; the introduction of party affiliation is not intended to create separate voting blocks, but rather to provide additional context for voters.

The legislation also includes provisions for voter education campaigns. The province will allocate funds to help local media outlets produce explanatory content, and municipalities will be required to post information on their websites about how party affiliation works in municipal elections.

Reactions from the Political Landscape

The Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) welcomed the move, arguing that it would give voters a clearer picture of candidates’ policy priorities. “The NDP has a strong record on public services and community welfare, and we are eager to bring those values to municipal governance,” said NDP leader Andrea Smith.

Conversely, the Alberta Liberal Party expressed caution, noting that party‑affiliated candidates may face increased scrutiny from the opposition, and that local councils have historically succeeded by staying above party politics. “We support responsible municipal governance, but we worry that parties might push partisan agendas that do not necessarily align with community needs,” said Liberal MLA Maria Valdez.

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) also weighed in, urging that party‑affiliated municipal elections include a robust system for monitoring the use of public funds and ensuring that labor interests remain protected. “Labor has a critical stake in local policies that affect wages, workplace safety, and housing,” the CLC said in a statement. “We will be closely monitoring the transition to ensure that workers’ voices are not drowned out by partisan politics.”

Looking Ahead

The policy shift arrives at a time when Alberta’s municipalities are grappling with a range of pressing issues—from rapid population growth to climate resilience and infrastructure investment. Advocates of party‑affiliated municipal elections argue that the new system will bring clearer policy signals to voters, potentially leading to higher turnout and more engaged civic participation.

Critics warn that the introduction of parties into municipal elections could erode the collaborative culture that has enabled cities like Calgary and Edmonton to implement transformative projects without partisan gridlock. They also point out that municipal politics have historically been a proving ground for future provincial leaders, and that a partisan environment could distort that pathway.

As the 2024 municipal elections approach, parties are already beginning to line up their candidates. In Calgary, the Alberta Liberal Party and the Alberta New Democratic Party have each announced a slate of candidates for the mayor’s office and council. Edmonton’s political scene is similarly heating up, with the United Conservative Party fielding a strong mayoral candidate and the NDP launching a campaign focused on affordable housing and transit.

For residents across the province, the question remains: Will the new system give them a clearer sense of a candidate’s priorities, or will it introduce partisan battles into the realm of local governance? The October ballot will ultimately decide whether Alberta’s cities can reconcile the need for accountability with the collaborative tradition that has long defined municipal politics in the province.