EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on candidates in Alberta's nine largest municipalities (Calgary, Edmonton, Strathcona County, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Wood Buffalo, St. Albert, Medicine Hat and Grande Prairie) to disclose their campaign contributors before the October 15th ballot.

"In civic politics there are no political parties and no tax-receipts for donations, as such, many of those who donate often do so in hope of gaining influence over decisions at city hall," stated CTF-Alberta director Scott Hennig. "Letting voters know who is funding these campaigns before they vote, lets voters know who will be 'pulling the strings' after they vote."

Successful civic election campaigns in Alberta's major municipalities are becoming expensive to run, meaning candidates either have to be independently wealthy or they have to have individuals, companies or unions footing the bill.

In the 2004 civic election, successful candidates for city council spent on average nearly $36,000 in Edmonton to and on average over $44,000 in Calgary to get elected.

Edmonton Mayor, Stephen Mandel, spent over $479,000 last election on his campaign and in 2001, Calgary Mayor, Dave Bronconnier, spent nearly $835,000 on his campaign.

Even in smaller cities, the costs and contributions can add up. In St. Albert last election, Mayor Paul Chalifoux spent nearly $27,000 on his campaign, and on average, city councillors spent over $7,000 each. In Lethbridge, Mayor Bob Tarleck spent over $41,000 last election on his campaign.

"Already there have been some very large donations made in this election, voters shouldn't have to wait until after the election to find out who is making them and in what amount," continued Hennig.

Only six of the nine largest municipalities have any disclosure by-law (Calgary, Edmonton, Strathcona County, Red Deer, Lethbridge and St. Albert), all of which only require the disclosure be provided well after the election.

A handful of candidates have already disclosed their contributors, including Lewis Cardinal (Edmonton - Ward 4), Jag Aithal (Calgary - Ward 7), George Chahal (Calgary - Ward 3), and Brian Pincott (Calgary - Ward 11).

"These candidates are to be commended for their commitment to transparency and accountability, but their disclosure should be the rule not the exception," concluded Hennig.

Campaign contributions for these candidates can be found here:

Lewis Cardinal

Jag Aithal

George Chahal

Brian Pincott

Alberta Municipal elections

The CTF has taken an active role in Alberta's upcoming municipal elections. The following links will take you to various discussion on important taxpayer issues concerning the elections.

•  Calgary City Council Severance Pay Calculations
• Edmonton City Council Severance Pay Calculations
• Taxpayers stonewalled by City of Calgary on new taxing powers
• Edmonton City Council voting records
• www.EdmontonVotes.ca
• CTF to candidates: Time to show your donors.
• Edmonton candidate survey results
• Calgary candidate survey results