Political Gossip with Friends
Breaking Down Municipal Political Parties for Nonprofits
For the first time, Calgary and Edmonton candidates can run under political party banners in this fall’s municipal elections. While partisanship is familiar at the provincial and federal level, its role in city politics is less clear – and this new pilot raises important questions for voters, candidates, and nonprofits alike.
Nonprofits Vote welcomed Courtney Theriault with Matt Solberg, Lisa Young, Amanda Reaume, and Philippe Fournier on September 16 to speak about the opportunities and limitations of this shift – and its implications for nonprofits. Here are a few takeaways.
Parties as a Shortcut for Voters
Municipal elections often struggle with low turnout, in part because voters find it difficult to sort through long lists of candidates. Political parties could act as a shortcut, helping people quickly identify which candidate best reflects their values.
Still, affiliation comes with risks. Party labels may improve name recognition but also carry potential risks. Voters may assume candidates within the same party share priorities, but individual councilors will continue to bring their own perspectives and autonomy to the table.
How Parties will Operate at City Hall
In short: they won’t. Under the legislation, municipal parties can exist for a year before the election to raise money and recruit candidates. They then dissolve after the election—unless they regroup in the next cycle. These are not permanent institutions like provincial or federal parties. And therefore, on council, there is no enforceable voting discipline.
No Provincial or Federal Connection
Despite familiar-sounding names, municipal parties won’t be tied to provincial or federal counterparts. They may share ideological leanings but cannot be formally affiliated. This independence means municipal leaders will continue to focus on community issues – though voters may mistakenly expect provincial-style priorities.
Looking Ahead
It’s too soon to know whether municipal parties will make choices clearer or create new complexities within local government. Nonprofits’ best bet is to observe – watching how councils govern, how funding flows, and whether partisanship shapes outcomes. You can also tune in to our upcoming debrief on Alberta’s municipal elections – save the date and watch for registration soon: October 23rd, 10:00am – 11:15am.