Submitting a Complaint
Election legislation requires Elections Alberta to treat every complaint as confidential. This means Elections Alberta is legislatively prohibited from commenting on complaints, allegations, or investigations we may, or may not, be reviewing or conducting, or those we may have conducted in the past if they have not resulted in an adverse finding. This is done to protect the identity of those who have submitted concerns, in addition to ensuring the presumption of innocence for any potential subject of a complaint. If there is an adverse finding, a notice of the finding is posted on our website in accordance with statutory requirements.
Every matter reported to Elections Alberta is taken seriously, and we respond, in writing, to confirm receipt of complaints reported to us. We conduct an initial review and assessment of every complaint we receive. If a complaint does not result in an investigation, we inform complainants of this fact, in writing, with reasons.
If a complaint contains information that suggests a criminal code offence may have occurred, the complainant will be directed to report the matter to the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction.
If a non-criminal code complaint involves a matter that falls outside the Election Commissioner’s legislative authority, the complainant may be referred to another body or provincial office that does have authority over the matter. Examples include the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Alberta Ombudsman, etc.
Please note: matters relating to Federal Elections, whether they involve leadership contests or activities related to federal parties or participants, should be referred to the Commissioner of Canada Elections. Elections Alberta has no jurisdiction in federal election matters.
You can submit a complaint using one of the methods indicated below. Please be as detailed and specific as possible. Include any relevant documents, pictures, recordings, videos, records, or other evidence that supports your concern.
The Election Commissioner can investigate breaches of the following Acts:
- Election Act– governing provincial elections.
- Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act – governing the financial activity of registered provincial political entities.
- Local Authorities Election Act– Parts 5.1 or 8 relating to municipal elections, campaign finance, or third party advertising.
- Citizen Initiative Act – process by which electors can have a legislative or policy proposal introduced in the legislative assembly or to have a constitutional referendum conducted.
- Recall Act – process to remove a sitting MLA between elections.
You are asked to provide:
- Your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address. The Election Commissioner can act on an anonymous complaint if the complaint is accompanied by sufficient evidence.
- A factual description of matters related to your complaint, including events, dates, individual(s) and/or entities involved, circumstances, and the action or inaction you believe may have been a contravention of one of the Acts above.
- Include specific sections of the Act(s) you feel may have been breached, if possible.
- Copies of any documents or other evidence that you believe are relevant.