Election TPAs

An Election Third Party Advertiser engages in election advertising to promote or oppose, or take a position on an issue associated with, a registered party or candidate in an MLA election. An Election Third Party Advertiser is a person, corporation, or group which is required to register with Elections Alberta when it has incurred or plans to incur expenses of at least $1,000 for election advertising, or it has accepted or plans to accept at least $1,000 in election advertising contributions.

Any eligible person, corporation, trade union or group that engages in election advertising is required to register with Elections Alberta when it has incurred or plans to incur expenses of at least $1,000 for election advertising, or it has accepted or plans to accept at least $1,000 in election advertising contributions.

An Election TPA can only advertise during an election advertising period.

For the complete guide on election third party advertising, click here. For advertising guidelines click here.

Registered Election TPAs

Last Updated: July 27, 2023

Deregistered Election TPAs

Last Updated: August 1, 2023

Contributions

A registered Election TPA can accept advertising contributions at any time, but only from persons ordinarily resident in Alberta. Contributions can be money or in-kind donations of goods or services.

The maximum an Election TPA can receive from any given contributor is $30,000 per year, less any contributions the contributor may make to other Election TPAs and to any Political TPAs in the year.

The TPA chief financial officer is responsible for reporting contributions to Elections Alberta and issuing official contribution receipts to contributors. Receipts issued for contributions to TPAs cannot be claimed for income tax credits.

Click here for more information on contributions.

Fundraising Events

A registered Election TPA or anyone acting on their behalf can hold events and activities to raise funds for election advertising. Examples of fundraising events include a luncheon, meet & greet, rally, golf tournament, silent auction etc. Contribution rules limit who can pay to attend or who can donate/bid at a silent auction. All fundraising revenues and expenses must be reported on the TPA’s advertising campaign return.

Click here for more information on fundraising events.

Expense Limits

A registered Election TPA can spend a maximum of $318,400 during election advertising periods for general elections: $159,200 from January 1 to the day before the Writ of Election, plus another $159,200 from the Writ of Election to when polls close on Election Day.

A registered Election TPA can spend a maximum of $3,200, per electoral division, for by-elections.

The following are common examples of reportable expenses:

• Administration and office costs,
• Honoraria and salaries,
• Paid advertising,
• Polling and research,
• Production costs,
• Promotional materials,
• Public relations, and
• Technology costs.

Click here for more information on expense limits.

Filing Deadlines

Election TPAs must disclose their financial activities to Elections Alberta by filing weekly contribution reports during election advertising periods and filing election advertising returns. Audited financial statements are required if revenue or expenses for the reporting period exceed $100,000. Automatic late filing fees apply for failure to file a report or return on time.

Click here for more information on filing deadlines.

Financial Reporting

View registration and financial information for Election Third Party Advertisers.

View Financial Reporting Website

Online Financial System (OFS)

Registered TPA primary contacts and chief financial officers are granted access to Elections Alberta’s secure Online Financial System (OFS) to report contributions, issue official contribution receipts to contributors, and submit financial returns.

Contact us for access and login queries.

Login to OFS