Information for Municipal Candidates

Are you ready to make a difference in your community?

Nomination packages

All candidates must submit their Notice of Intent and Nomination Forms with the City Clerk's office by the end of the Nomination Period at 12:00 p.m. on September 22.

2025 Nomination Package Mayor 2025 Nomination Package Councillor Mayor and Councillor Information Package

Eligibility

To become a municipal candidate you must be:

at least 18 years of age on nomination day, September 22, 2025
a Canadian citizen,
a resident of the local jurisdiction for the 6 consecutive months preceding nomination day, which is September 22, 2025 s.21 Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA)

You can only run for one office (i.e. Mayor or Councillor, not both) s.23 LAEA. See s. 22 LAEA for other circumstances that may pertain to your qualification as a municipal candidate.

You are not eligible to become a candidate in any election under any of the following circumstances (s.22 LAEA):

if you are the auditor of the local jurisdiction or if you are a municipal or school board employee, unless you take the entitled leave of absence;
if your property taxes are more than $50 in arrears or you are in default, for any other debt equal or in excess of $500 to the municipality, for more than 90 days;
if you have in the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offense under the Local Authorities Election Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada).

There may be other circumstances that prevent you from running for office. Please refer to the full text of s. 22 LAEA.

Determining residency

If you own more than one residence, you must choose ONE as your official place of residence (Local Authorities Election Act, section 48). Your place of residence should be determined by the following criteria in order of priority:

(a) the address shown on the person’s driver’s license or motor vehicle operator’s license issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta or an identification card issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta;
(b) the address to which the person’s income tax correspondence is addressed and delivered;
(c) the address to which the person’s mail is addressed and delivered

Federal employees

Before a federal public servant employee can seek nomination as a candidate in a municipal election he/she must request and obtain permission from the Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC) to do so. For further information please contact the PSC directly or refer to the Public Service Employment Act.

Municipal employees

A person who is an employee of a municipality and who wishes to be nominated as a candidate for an election to be held for that respective municipality is entitled to take a leave of absence without pay. An employee may notify the municipality on or after January 1, 2025 that they are taking a leave of absence without pay.

It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure they meet the requirements of eligibility, and it is an offence to make a false statement on your nomination form. After noon on nomination day, anyone can view your form at the City Clerk department.

Key Resources

Candidate Slates and Political Parties

The Local Authorities Election Act and Local Political Parties and Slates Regulation (LPPSR) forbid all local political parties and slates outside of the cities of Calgary and Edmonton. For more information read the fact sheet on Changes to the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) 2024 and 2025 linked below.

Local Political Parties and Slates fact sheet

Medicine Hat Municipal operations

In order for municipal candidates to have equal opportunity to information, the City provides direct access to information through our website, rather than through City staff. The key resources page links to a variety of resources that can help candidates learn more about City of Medicine Hat operations; from long-term strategic planning resources, to recent updates on projects and initiatives.

Key Resources Information for Municipal Candidates

Running for public office

Alberta Municipalities has created a guide for understanding what to expect when running for municipal office.

Running for Municipal Office

Understanding Economic Development

Economic Developers Alberta offers an online course: Economic Development for Elected Officials. This "30,000 foot view" of economic development explores theory, fundamental economic development applications, and examples of best practices.

Learn more

Campaign Management

It is each candidate's responsibility to familiarize themselves and follow the campaign financing rules: s.147.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA).

The campaign period (the time in which you can accept contributions and incur campaign expenses) is January 1 to December 31, 2025. You must file your nomination papers before you accept contributions or incur expenses during this period.

Campaign Information

2021 Campaign Disclosure Statements


Alison Van Dyke	Allison Knodel	Anthony Leahy
Bill Bergeson	Bradley Gruszie	Brian Duek
Brian Varga	Brian Webster	Charles Turner
Darren Hirsch	Jay Hitchen	Jeremy Silver
Jim Black	Justin Wright	Kelly Allard
Linnsie Clark	Mandi Campbell	Marco Jansen
Micheal Starner	Paul Grey Hemsing	Phillip Turnbull
Praveen Joshi	Ramona Robins	Robert Dumanowski
Rockford Rutledge	Shane Gilmore	Shila Sharps
Stephen Campbell	Ted Clugston	Tessa Cassandra Hider
Thomas Asham	Thomas McGrogan	Warren Pister