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Most Edmonton and Calgary Candidates Shun New Party Labels in Early Filings

The province’s overhaul reopens corporate and union donations, granting party-linked campaigns higher spending limits.

The numbers may change somewhat in the weeks ahead as candidates in Edmonton and Calgary have just over a month, until Sept. 22, to complete the nomination process before election day on Oct. 20.
Edmonton City Council meets at City Hall, Tuesday August. 19, 2025.
Construction continued on a multi-family project in the Belvedere area of southeast Calgary on Thursday, February 15, 2024.
Children and Family Services Minister Searle Turton on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Overview

  • Nearly 70% of declared candidates in the two cities are running as independents, with 47 of 150 listing a party so far; nominations close Sept. 22 and election day is Oct. 20.
  • In Edmonton, 21 of 81 candidates align with PACE or Better Edmonton, whose slate includes mayoral hopeful Tim Cartmell and incumbent councillor Karen Principe.
  • In Calgary, 26 of 69 candidates are tied to A Better Calgary Party, the Calgary Party or Communities First, with the latter two fielding mayoral contenders.
  • Legislation passed last year allows party labels on municipal ballots for the first time in decades and lets party-affiliated candidates outspend independents while permitting corporate and union donations.
  • The municipal affairs minister’s office frames the change as increasing transparency and voter information, even as Alberta Municipalities, the NDP and both big-city mayors oppose the shift, citing a 2023 survey showing 70% public opposition to party labels.