Municipal election campaigns cost money, often lots of money: signs, brochures, websites and decaled campaign busses aren't cheap.

Even if you overlook Alberta's two major cities - where 2007 Calgary mayoral candidate Alnoor Kassam reportedly spent over a million dollars, or Stephen Mandel, the newly re-elected mayor of Edmonton, whose previous campaign cost nearly half-a-million bucks to run - and just focus on the smaller cities in Alberta, the money spent is still significant.

Mayoral candidate spending in St. Albert, Strathcona County and even Red Deer may easily approach the six-figure range. Lethbridge mayoral candidate, Mike Pierzchala, spent over $106,000 on his unsuccessful bid for the top seat in 2001.

The real question is not how much these candidates spend, but rather, from where they get their money. Some, like Kassam are independently wealthy, and can afford to fund their campaigns without significant outside help. Most, however, rely on contributions.

Not surprisingly, the two largest contributors to municipal election campaigns tend to be land developers and civic employee unions. These two groups have a lot to lose (or gain) by the decisions made at city hall. A denial of a zoning request or a development decision can cost land developers millions. Similarly, a large contract settlement can gain civic unions and their membership millions as well.

Take for example the comments made by the President of the Calgary Firefighters Union, Mark Faires, when announcing his union would be making a financial contribution to Ward 3 Alderman Helen Larocque's campaign: "[Helen has been] loyal to the fire service and the fire service will remain loyal to Helene Larocque."

Wasn't she supposed to be loyal to the residents of Ward 3 in Calgary?

Fortunately, these comments and their donation were made public before residents of Ward 3 cast their ballots. Residents made their choice knowing full-well where their candidates' loyalties lay.

However, countless other candidates across Alberta accepted donations during this past election; virtually all of which were unknown to voters when they entered the voting booth.

Voters need to ask themselves: if you knew before the election your candidate of choice took handfuls of cash from a large polluter, would that change your vote If you knew your candidate of choice took bags of loot from a civic union, would that change your vote

Finding the answers to these questions have largely been an exercise in frustration, because no municipality in Alberta requires candidates disclose who is funding their campaigns before the vote, and only six require disclosure after the vote.

This vital information should be made public before voters cast their ballots.

Our neighbours to the South, with their often criticized campaign financing laws, are much more transparent when it comes to disclosure.

In addition to requiring quarterly contribution and post-election reports, the Internal Revenue Code also demands US presidential candidates produce a "pre-election report" detailing campaign contributions made right up to 20 days prior to the election. These reports must be submitted at least 12 days prior to election day, be on-line and available to the public within 48 hours of receipt.

The Stelmach government has promised to "govern with integrity and transparency" and as such should move quickly to amend the Local Authorities Election Act as well as the provincial Election Act to require all candidates publicly disclose their donors before the vote.