Candidate Information Guide - December 2024 by mdbonnyville

INTRODUCTION

This Candidate Information Guide provides a general overview of information you need to prepare for the upcoming 2025 election in the Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87 (M.D.).

It contains:

• Answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding nomination and election procedures,

• Relevant facts candidates should be aware of,

• References to specific legislation in the Municipal Government Act (MGA), the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), the M.D. Elections Bylaw, and the Election Campaign Policy (see Appendices).

It is the Candidate’s responsibility to become familiar with and understand the legislation governing municipal elections and the election process. This guide is NOT a substitute for the actual legislation. There are severe penalties (including fines, imprisonment, and disqualification from elected office) if you are found to be in breach of LAEA provisions.

You can find links to legislation, Government of Alberta Resources, and other related documents on the M.D. website and in Appendix B at the back of this guide .

You may also contact the Returning Officer if you have any questions.

Returning Officers

The M.D. Returning Officer is responsible for the conducting of elections every four years for the offices of Reeve (1) and Councillor (6), and ensuring that all legislative requirements are met.

The Returning Officer(s) will be listed on the website when their contact information becomes available.

A digital copy of this guide will be regularly updated on the M.D.’s website as information, dates, and other details are made available.

CANDIDATE PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Before beginning the process of becoming a Candidate, you should:

c Learn as much as possible about the M.D. and the Ward you are running in

c Understand Council’s roles, authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities

c Ensure you can meet the time commitment and workload involved

Become familiar with the nomination papers and submit on or before closing of the Nomination Period (12 p.m. on September 22, 2025). This includes:

c The Release of Candidate Information (Form A)

c The Nomination Form (Form 4)

c Candidate Information Form (Form 5)

c Ensure you have included a $100 deposit with your completed nomination package

c Be familiar with signage and campaign rules

c Be familiar with the requirements for reporting election-related contributions and expenses

c Check the M.D. website regularly for election notices and updates

IMPORTANT DATES

Property Tax Payment Deadline

Wednesday, September 15, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

Nomination Period

Wednesday, January 1, 2025 to 12 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025

M.D. Administration Office

Candidate Information Session

To be announced

Thanksgiving Day

Monday, October 13, 2025

M.D. office is closed

Advance Voting Days

To be announced

Election Day

Monday, October 20, 2025

10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Various Voting Stations across the M.D.

Campaign Disclosure Statement

Deadline (Form 26)

On or before March 1, 2026 for 2025

If elected...

Formal Council Orientation

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Friday, October 24, 2025

Monday, October 27, 2025

Organizational Meeting

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Rural Municipalities of Alberta

Orientation

To be determined

Strategic Planning Session

To be determined

PURPOSE, POWER, & CAPACITY OF

LOCAL JURISDICTION

Within Canada, there are three levels of government : Municipal, Provincial, and Federal.

In the book “Government and Politics in Alberta”, A. Tupper / R. Gibbins states that Local Government is a creation of the Provincial Government:

“Alberta’s municipalities are legally subordinate to the provincial government as is the case of municipalities in all of the provinces. Under the Constitution Act, national and provincial governments have separate spheres of power with local government falling under the purview of the provinces. Thus, constitutionally a province can create, change, and abolish municipalities at will.”

The Provincial Government provides the structure for Local Governments by statute with the MGA being the primary set of rules under which municipalities operate.

The purposes, power and capacity of municipalities are stated in the MGA as follows:

1. The purposes of a municipality are:

• To provide good government,

• To foster the well-being of the environment,

• To foster the economic development of the municipality,

• To provide services, facilities or other things that, on the opinion of council, are necessary or desirable for all or a part of the municipality,

To develop and maintain safe and viable communities; and,

• To work collaboratively with neighbouring municipalities to plan, deliver and fund Intermunicipal services.

2. A municipality is a corporation.

3. A municipality:

• Has the powers given to it by this and other enactments,

• Has the duties that are imposed on it by this and other enactments and those that the municipality imposes on itself as a matter of policy, and has the functions that are described in this and other enactments; and

• Has the functions that are described in this and other enactments.

Our Community

The Municipal District of Bonnyville is one of the largest municipalities in Alberta (over 6,000 km2) rich in natural wonders and resources. Strengthened by the resource industries of oil and gas, agriculture, and forestry, we are one of the most diversely developed rural districts in Alberta.

Based on the 2021 Canada Census, just under 12,000 residents enjoy the advantages of country living with access to urban amenities and services. Approximately 9,300 residents are over the age of 18 (elector population).

Find out more about M.D. demographics at townfolio.co/ab/ bonnyville-no-87/overview

Approximate Population By Ward

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

Candidate Eligibility

Section 21 of the Local Authorities Election Act outlines qualifications of a Candidate. Eligibility requirements for a person to be nominated as a Candidate for the Nomination Period of Wednesday, January 1, 2025 to 12 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025 include:

• The potential Candidate is at least 18 years old,

• The potential Candidate is a Canadian citizen,

• The potential Candidate has lived in the M.D. for six (6) consecutive months (since March 20, 2025) immediately before Nomination Day, The potential Candidate is not otherwise ineligible or disqualified.

The Nomination Form must be completed, and requires the Candidate to sign an affidavit confirming:

• That they are eligible to be elected,

• That they will accept the office if elected,

• That they have reviewed the LAEA.

The Candidate must swear or affirm the affidavit before the Returning Officer or a Commissioner for Oaths and provide the form to the Returning Officer.

The nominated Candidate is responsible for ensuring that the nomination papers filed are fully completed and meet the requirements of the LAEA. If a nomination is challenged, the courts will assess eligibility.

In accordance with Section 151 of the LAEA, it is an offence for a Candidate to sign a Nomination Form that contains a false statement. The offence is subject to a fine of up to $1,000.

Candidate Ineligibility

Sections 22 and 23 of the LAEA provide an overview of instances when a person is ineligible to be nominated as a Candidate in a municipal election. SOME of those instances include when the person:

• Is an auditor for the M.D.,

• Is an employee of the M.D. , unless that person takes a leave of absence during the election (followed by resignation, if elected),

• Has M.D. property taxes of more than $50 in arrears, not including current taxes or previous taxes addressed in a consolidation agreement, Owes the M.D. any amount equal to or exceeding $500 for more than 90 days,

• Has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under the LAEA, the Election Act, the Election Finances & Contributions Disclosure Act, or the Canada Elections Act (Canada).

As the previous information does not detail all instances of ineligibility, Candidates are responsible for consulting the LAEA. It is the Candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are eligible for nomination.

Candidate Registration

Potential municipal candidates are required to submit an Intent to Run form* or nomination papers with the municipality before they can accept any campaign contributions.

The M.D. will be maintaining a public registry of individuals who have submitted their Intent to Run forms and nomination papers. These names will be listed on the M.D. website.

*New in 2024 - as found in Section 147.22 of the Local Authorities Election Act.

NOMINATIONS

Filing of Nomination Papers

All Candidates must file their nomination papers with the Returning Officer between Wednesday, January 1, 2025 and 12 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025. Faxed or emailed copies of nomination forms will not be accepted.

Nominations include the following components:

• Release of Candidate Information Form (Form A), Nomination Form (Form 4),

a. The nomination form must be signed by a minimum of five (5) qualified electors. However, to ensure the validity of the nomination, a candidate should submit more than the required five electors’ information. Additional elector information and signatures may be placed on the provided sheet with nomination papers.

Candidate Information Form (Form 5),

• Throughout the election campaign, the Returning Officer receives requests for Candidates’ contact information from media, organizers of election forums, and from the general public. This information will be available on the M.D. website and,

• Deposit:

a. M.D. Election Bylaw specifies that a deposit of $100 only in the form of cash, debit, credit card, certified cheque, or money order payable to the M.D. of Bonnyville must accompany every nomination paper presented to the Returning Officer.

The Nomination Form must be completed in full. It must be sworn or affirmed before a Commissioner of Oaths or the Returning Officer.

A copy of the form is located on the M.D. website at md.bonnyville.ab.ca/454/2025-Municipal-Election.

The Candidate is responsible for ensuring that the nomination papers filed meet the requirements of the LAEA. The Returning Officer cannot rule on the validity of the information on the form. However, the Returning Officer must refuse forms that do not contain the required number of nominating signatures nor forms that are not accompanied by the required deposit.

At any time after the start of the nomination period and until the term of office to which the filed nomination papers relate has expired, any person may ask to examine the filed nomination papers during regular business hours and in the presence of the Returning Officer.

Withdrawal of Nomination

Candidates may withdraw at any time prior to the close of the nomination period. Once the nomination period has closed, a candidate may withdraw within 24 hours only if more than the required number of candidates for that particular office have been nominated. All notices of withdrawal must be submitted to the Returning Officer in writing.

Election by Acclamation

If at the close of the nomination period, the number of Candidates nominated for any office is the same as the number required to be elected, the Returning Officer shall declare the Candidates to be acclaimed to the offices for which they were nominated.

Insufficient Nominations

If the required number of nominations for a particular office are not received at the close of the nomination period, the Returning Officer will continue to receive nominations in the same manner, starting the next day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This will take place until six days (excluding Saturday and Sunday), has elapsed.

ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

The purpose of campaigning is to convince voters that you are the best Candidate for the job. Campaign strategies can include door-knocking, putting up campaign signs, and using social media.

M.D. Rural Land Ownership Maps will be available free of charge to Candidates who have filed their nomination papers throughout the Nomination Period. Hamlet and subdivision maps can be found on the M.D. website. Candidates looking for customized maps may also use WebMap, an interactive and searchable map of the M.D., available at md.bonnyville.ab.ca.

There have been significant changes regarding campaigning. Candidates are strongly encouraged to review the updated Local Authorities Election Act.

Advertising

There are a variety of offence provisions included in the LAEA related to campaigning.

Candidates are not permitted to use a facsimile or representation of the ballot produced for Election Day in their advertising. The use of the Candidate’s name and an “X” beside it does not constitute a form of the ballot. Violations of Section 148 of the LAEA could result in a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six (6) months.

Candidate advertising on Election Day is not permitted inside or outside of a voting station. The election worker at the voting station will remove any advertising which is present. Violations of Section 152 of the LAEA could result in a fine of up to $500.

In accordance with the M.D. Election Campaign Policy, M.D. resources not normally available to the public will not be provided to any Candidate for campaigning.

Candidates shall not use M.D. logos on campaign materials or for any other purposes. They are also encouraged to use original photographs, images, and slogans to which they own the rights.

Signage

Candidates must adhere to provincial and municipal requirements with respect to election signage.

You can find the regulations for installing election signs along provincial highways and on provincial land at alberta.ca/election-signs

Along municipal roads and on municipal land, election signs must be removed within 15 days following the election. Maximum size is 3m2. No permit is required; however there are several limitations and guidelines Candidates must follow that are outlined in Section 60 of the M.D. Land Use Bylaw found on the M.D.’s website at bit.ly/ MDBvilleLUB

On private land, election signs must be removed within 15 days following the election. Maximum size is 3m2. Permission from the landowner is required. Other limitations and guidelines are also outlined in the M.D. Land Use Bylaw.

If placing election signs in another municipality, please contact the corresponding municipal office for their requirement details.

All signs must follow legislation and guidelines and must not cause a safety concern.

ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

Forums & Contributions

Forums

Forums are often held and hosted by local organizations. The forum is a facilitated debate that allows candidates to make opening and closing remarks and answer questions from a moderator or the public.

More information on the candidate forum dates, locations, and times will be available closer to Election Day from the hosting organizations. The M.D. does not hold or sponsor forums.

Contributions

It is very important that Candidates become familiar with the LAEA, as they are responsible for ensuring that their campaign finances comply with the legislation.

Contributions

Sections 147.2, Subsections 4 and 5 of the LAEA state that:

(4) A Candidate may contribute up to $10,000 that is not reimbursed to the Candidate from the Candidate’s campaign account by the end of the campaign period to the Candidates own campaign expenses.

(5) Any amount paid by the Candidate for campaign expenses from the Candidate’s own funds that is not reimbursed to the Candidate from the Candidate’s campaign account by the end of the campaign period, including an amount referred to in subsection (4), is a contribution to the Candidate’s own campaign for the purpose of this Act.

On or before March 1 of each year, Section 147.4 of the LAEA states these Candidates shall file a Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement.

Significant changes were made to Section 147.4 in 2024. Please carefully review the latest edition of the Local Authorities Election Act found at open.alberta. ca/publications/l21

ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

Campaign Personnel

Campaign Worker

The candidate can complete the Campaign Worker Proof of Identification Form and provide it to each campaign worker to use as proof of identification.

Official Agent

Each person nominated as a Candidate may, when filing nomination papers, appoint an elector to be their Official Agent. Official Agents may provide their contact information along with a Release of Candidate Information Form to enable the election office to share the information with the public.

Throughout the campaign period, if it is necessary to appoint a new Official Agent, the Candidate shall immediately notify the Returning Officer in writing of the contact information of the new Official Agent.

The duties of an Official Agent are those assigned to the Official Agent by the Candidate.

No candidate shall act as an Official Agent for any other Candidate.

A person who has, within the previous ten (10) years, been convicted of an offence under the Local Authorities Election Act, the Election Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada) is not eligible to be appointed as an official agent.

Candidate’s Scrutineer

If a Candidate would like to appoint a Scrutineer to observe the election processes at the voting stations, the following process must be followed:

Scrutineers must be given a signed Statement of Scrutineer or Official Agent Form from the Candidate,

• Upon arriving at the voting station, the Scrutineer must present the signed Statement of Scrutineer or Official Agent Form (Form 16) to the election official,

• The election official will provide the Scrutineer with a name tag and the Statement of Scrutineer or Official Agent (Form 16), which must be completed prior to the Scrutineer commencing his/her duties.

Note that only one Scrutineer, Official Agent, or the Candidate, can be present at any time in a voting station.

The Candidate, Official Agent and/or Scrutineer are not permitted to observe the marking of a ballot by an Elector.

The election official will designate a location in the voting station where a Candidate, Official Agent, or Scrutineer may observe the election process.

ELECTION DAY

Voter Eligibility

A person is eligible to vote in the M.D. of Bonnyville election if they:

• Are at least 18 years old, Are a Canadian citizen,

• Reside in Alberta and are a resident of the M.D. on Election Day

Voting on Election Day

All voters are required to produce one piece of photo identification to verify the voter’s name and current address.

The type of identification accepted at the voting stations is photo identification issued by a Canadian government, whether federal, provincial or local, or an agency of that government.

All voters must be registered, verifying their eligibility to vote. Once this is completed, the Elector will then receive a ballot. If the voter is not registered, they will be able to fill out a form to register on site.

Voting Stations

The M.D. is divided into six (6) wards. An Elector is eligible to vote ONLY at one of the voting stations designated for the electoral ward in which he or she resides. The voting station locations will be listed on the M.D. website as soon as they have been confirmed.

The locations are subject to change before Election Day. Updates will be posted to the M.D. website and social media platforms should changes occur.

Voting stations will be open between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025.

Ballot Count Attendance

The M.D. will be conducting the municipal election through the use of paper ballots, which will be counted at the close of the voting station at 8 p.m.

Candidates, Official Agents, or Scrutineers are permitted to observe the counting process.

Voting by Special Ballot

Any eligible voter can vote at an Advance Vote, at a voting station on Election Day, or may vote by Special Ballot. The voter must be on the Permanent Elector’s Register. If they are not on the register, they may apply to be added. Information on applying to be added to the register will be added as soon as it becomes available through the Alberta government.

An application for a Special Ballot may be made:

• In writing to the Returning Officer, Bag 1010, Bonnyville, AB, T9N 2J7, or email at legservices@md.bonnyville.ab.ca,

• In person at the M.D. Administration Office, 4905 - 50 Avenue, Bonnyville, AB during regular business hours,

• By fax to 780-826-4524.

All Special Ballots must be completed and returned to the M.D. office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025. After this time, Special Ballots will not be accepted by the Returning Officer. The full requirements for this process are set out in the M.D. Elections Bylaw.

The Special Ballots results will be generated after 8 p.m. on Election Day at the M.D. Administration Office. Candidates, Official Agents or Scrutineers are welcome to attend and witness the count.

VOTING BY ADVANCE VOTE

All eligible voters may vote in the Advance Vote. The Advance Vote dates are yet to be determined. This guide will be updated online as more information becomes available.

Keep an eye on the M.D. website and social media platforms for update notices.

Advance Vote results will be generated after 8 p.m. on Election Day at the M.D. Administration Office. Candidates, Official Agents or Scrutineers are welcome to attend and witness the count.

ELECTION RESULTS

Unofficial Results

Unofficial results will be displayed on the M.D. Facebook and X social media platforms and on the website as soon as they are available. These results are updated continuously throughout the evening while results are being counted.

The unofficial final results will be released once all counts are completed.

Recount

There have been extensive changes made to the regulations for a recount. For details and to review types of recounts, instances when a recount can be called for, and other details relating to recounts, please see Section 98 of the Local Authorities Election Act.

A Candidate or an Official Agent may request the Returning Officer to conduct a recount within a certain time frame, depending on the nature of application for the recount, after the statement of results is announced or posted.

Upon receipt of an application for recount, depending on the nature of the application, the Returning Officer may be authorized to determine whether a recount is warranted, or may be required to conduct a recount provided specific criteria is met, pursuant to Section 98 of the LAEA.

Candidates who may be affected by a recount will receive 12 hours notice of the recount.

The procedures for a recount will be conducted in the same manner that votes were counted on Election Day.

Official Results

The results of the election are official at 12 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025. The Returning Officer will post the official results on the M.D.’s X and Facebook accounts, the M.D. website, and the M.D.’s advertising page in local newspapers.

2021 Election Results

In the 2021, there were a total of 4,103 votes cast for Reeve.

The total votes cast for councillors by ward were as follows:

Ward 1 - 732

Ward 2 - 949

Ward 3 - 546

Ward 4 - 685

Ward 5 - 676

Ward 6 - 640

The voter turn out was 52 per cent.

ELECTED OFFICIAL DUTIES &

RESPONSIBILITIES

Principal Role & Duties of Council

The Council is the governing body of the municipal corporation and the custodian of its powers, both legislative and administrative. The MGA provides that Councils can only exercise the powers of the municipal corporation in the proper form, either by bylaw or resolution.

A Councillor’s job is to work with other Council members to set the overall direction of the municipality through their role as a policy maker. The policies that Council sets are the guidelines for Administration to follow as it does the job of running the municipality. A Councillor will spend a lot of time creating new policies and programs or reviewing the current ones to make sure they are working as they should.

A Councillor is elected to look after the interests of the entire municipality. A Councillor who is in a municipality such as the M.D. of Bonnyville that has electoral divisions must be careful not to place the interest of their electoral division above the interest of the whole municipality. A Councillor must base any decision on what is best for the entire municipality. Council’s effectiveness depends on Councillors providing input on their electoral divisions while thinking and voting for the whole municipality. Councillors also have to make certain that they do not put themselves in a conflict of interest situation and must ensure that decisions made do not benefit them personally, their immediate family, or their friends.

Office of Reeve

The Chief Elected Official (CEO) of the M.D. is the Reeve. The Reeve, in addition to performing a Councillor’s duties, chairs each Council meeting. The Reeve must also perform any other duty imposed under the MGA or any other enactment. In practice, the Reeve is also the chief spokesperson for the municipality, unless that responsibility is delegated to another councillor.

Code of Conduct

The M.D. of Bonnyville has a Council Members Code of Conduct — Bylaw No. 1860.

It ensures all members of Council carry out their duties as an elected official in a professional and businesslike manner, reflecting appropriate decorum, representing the best interest of the entire M.D., and inspiring public confidence in Council’s ability to provide quality, cost-effective services and infrastructure to meet the diverse needs of the community.

These standards are designed to supplement the legislative parameters within which the members must operate.

The Chief Administrative Officer

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is the administrative head of the M.D. and is a non-elected official. Like most municipalities, the CAO serves as Council’s sole employee. All staff report to the CAO, and Council provides direction back through the CAO.

The CAO’s responsibilities include ensuring that M.D. policies and programs are implemented, advising and informing Council on the operation of the municipality, performing other duties assigned by Council, and ensuring appropriate staffing is in place.

Staying out of the day-to-day operation of the municipality allows Councillors to concentrate on policy making and program monitoring. Councillors should work with the CAO to keep informed on what the municipality is doing, and will depend on the administration to provide information so that they can make sound decisions.

ELECTED OFFICIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Time Commitment

Alberta Councillors are elected for a four-year term.

The M.D. has six (6) elected Councillors elected from each of the six (6) electoral divisions or wards, and one Reeve elected at large. A Ward Map is provided in Appendix A.

Section 153 of the MGA provides an outline of the duties for members of Council. Generally, being an M.D. Councillor involves:

• Attendance at Council meetings, board and committee meetings, and conferences,

• Reading and reviewing agenda packages,

• Answering questions from residents and forwarding them to the CAO, as needed,

• Attending public events such as grand openings, public meetings and parades,

• Investing time in ‘in-service’ training opportunities and workshops.

Fulfilling theses duties results in an ‘on-call’ environment that, though rewarding, can be very demanding.

Council Orientation Sessions

Council will have a formal three-day Orientation Session to be held Thursday, October 23, Friday, October 24, and Monday, October 27. It provides an opportunity for Council members to become acquainted with fellow Elected Officials, staff, as well as M.D. services, operations and facilities.

The formal Council Orientation Session will provide members with critical information about their roles and responsibilities and about specific functions , processes and plans. This session is a Council training requirement of the MGA with mandatory attendance. It is important that all Elected Officials have this period of time available.

Elected Official Training Program

The Elected Officials Education Program is a joint venture of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) and the Association of Alberta Municipalities. This program helps elected officials broaden their knowledge of and skills in municipal governance.

The program offers courses on strategy and business acumen, effective governance and decision making, community building, and communication skills. More information is available at rmalberta.com

Council Meetings

There are two Regular Meetings of Council and one Committee of the Whole meeting per month.

Regular Meetings of Council occur on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month commencing at 9 a.m. Committee of the Whole meetings occur on the third Tuesday of each month, also commencing at 9 a.m.

In preparation for these meetings, an agenda package including supporting materials is delivered to Council members on the Thursday prior to the meeting, allowing time to read and review the issues at hand.

ELECTED OFFICIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Meeting

Following the 2025 Municipal Election, successful Candidates will be sworn-in as members of M.D. Council. Swearing in will take place in Council Chambers on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 9 a.m., followed by the Organizational Meeting and regular meeting of Council.

Some of these boards and committees include:

Regional Waste Management Commission

Regional Fire Authority (BRFA)

Agricultural Service Board

East Muni-Corr Ltd. (Board)

Bonnyville and District Leisure Facility Corp. - Part 9 (C2) Board

Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee

Strategic Plan & Budget Process

Two of M.D. Council’s central responsibilities are the development and confirmation of the Municipal Strategic Plan and the approval of the annual budget.

In addition to the regularly scheduled meetings, Council members also attend annual budget meetings held in October and November of each year. In 2025, the budget meeting, which can last up to three days, is scheduled to start on November 5 at 9 a.m.

During this annual Organizational Meeting Session, Council elects a Deputy Reeve, sets the Council meeting times and dates for the coming year, and Council members are appointed to various boards and committees.

Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB)

Joint Assessment Review Board

A three to four-day Strategic Planning Session will also be scheduled following the election.

If you have any questions regarding the Strategic Planning Session or the Budget Process, please contact Matt Janz, Interim CAO at 780-826-3171 ext. 2050.

Beaver River

FCSS Bonnyville

Bonnyville

FCSS Cold Lake

M.D.

Lakeland Industry & Community Association (LICA)

North

Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA)

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION & PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT (FOIP)

What is FOIP?

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act aims to strike a balance between the public’s right to know and the individual’s right to privacy as related to information in the custody or under the control of the M.D.

Access to Information

The Act legislates open and accountable government guaranteeing individuals the right to see their own information and other M.D. records, with some specific exceptions. Some of the exceptions that apply are where the release could:

• Be an unreasonable invasion of another’s privacy,

• Cause harm to another person or organization,

• Interfere with public safety,

• Harm law enforcement efforts.

Privacy

The Act prevents others from seeing an individual’s personal information without his/her consent and ensures that it is protected from unauthorized collection, use or disclosure. Under the Act, the municipality must follow strict guidelines for the collection, use, and retention of personal information.

Are records of elected officials of municipalities excluded from the FOIP Act?

Personal or constituency records of a council member are excluded from the Act Section 4(1)(m). This exclusion is intended to cover:

Records such as private correspondence of an elected official that has not been sent or received by the official in his or her capacity as a council member but which may be maintained in his or her office for convenience,

Records relating to the election campaign of a council member (other than those records required to be submitted to the authority governing the election),

Records relating to the private business activities of a council member.

Records dealing with the business of the municipality are covered by the Act even if they are stored at a Councillor’s home.

For more information regarding FOIP and how it relates to you, contact the M.D. of Bonnyville No. 87 FOIP Coordinator at 780-826-3171.

CANDIDATE INFORMATION SESSION

The M.D. is will host a Candidate Information Session following the conclusion of the nomination period.

Candidates will be provided with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the scope and time commitment required, and to ask questions regarding the election process.

In past years, Alberta Municipal Affairs has also held sessions for potential Candidates and official agents throughout the province. Whether these sessions will occur this year has yet to be announced. If scheduled, these dates will be updated in this guide and on the M.D. website when they become available.

INFORMATION SHARING WITH CANDIDATES

The Returning Officer receives inquiries from Candidates on occasion. When an inquiry is received from one candidate, the Returning Officer will provide a response to all Candidates affected by the inquiry.

Responses to Candidate inquiries will be provided using the contact information provided on nominations papers.

Please ensure that you submit your email address on the Release of Candidate Information Form.

MUNICIPAL ELECTION APPENDICES

RESOURCES

There have been references to a number of documents in this Candidates Guide. You can find the digital version of these documents by visiting the links provided below.

A list of related documents is also available on the M.D.’s election website at bit.ly/2025MDElection. This site will be updated regularly as new information is released and resources are made available.

Updates to the guide will also be announced on the M.D.’s social channels as below:

Facebook: facebook.com/mdbonnyville

X: x.com/mdbville

Linked In: ca.linkedin.com/company/mdbonnyville