Political TPAs
A Political Third Party Advertiser engages in political advertising to promote or oppose a registered party, leader of a registered party, candidate in an MLA election, MLA, nomination contestant, or leadership contestant.
Any eligible person, corporation, trade union or group that engages in political advertising is required to register with Elections Alberta when it has incurred, or plans to incur, political advertising expenses of $1,000 or more, or has accepted or plans to accept political advertising contributions of $1,000 or more.
A Political TPA can only advertise outside of an election advertising period.
Contributions
Through their chief financial officer, a registered Political TPA can accept advertising contributions at any time from the following persons or entities:
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents normally living in Canada,
- Corporations carrying on business in Canada and are not prohibited corporations, and
- Canadian trade unions, and Canadian employee organizations.
Contributions are defined as any money or in-kind donations of real property, goods, or services.
The maximum contribution a Political TPA’s chief financial officer can accept from an eligible contributor is $5,000 per year, less any other contributions the contributor may make to other registered Political TPAs and any registered Election TPAs in the year.
The TPA’s chief financial officer is responsible for reporting contributions to Elections Alberta and issuing official contribution receipts to contributors.
Get more information on contributions.
Fundraising Functions
A registered Political TPA can hold events and activities to raise funds for political advertising.
Examples of fundraising events include luncheons, meet & greet events, rallies, golf tournaments, and auctions. Contribution rules limit who can pay to attend events and who can donate/bid for auctions.
Get more information on fundraising functions.
Expenses
A registered Political TPA is not subject to spending limits on advertising expenses and is allowed to engage in political advertising any time other than during an election advertising period.
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.
Get more information on expenses.
Filing Deadlines
Through their chief financial officer, registered Political TPAs must disclose the details of their financial activities to Elections Alberta through the submission of quarterly contribution reports and annual financial statements. The reports are required regardless of the level of financial activity, including nil activity if applicable, and are due as follows:
- quarterly contribution reports due 15 days after the end of the quarter, and
- annual financial reports due March 31st each year, consisting of a financial statement, contribution report, expense report, and supporting documentation.
An automatic late filing fee of $500 applies for missing a filing deadline.
Get more information on filing deadlines.
Financial Reporting and Online Financial System (OFS)
The Financial Reporting website contains registration and financial information for all registered Political TPAs.
Registered Political TPA 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 reports.
Contact finance@elections.ab.ca with any questions.