The Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton (PACE) officially becomes the city's first municipal political party, ushering in a new era of local politics. While Bill 20, aimed at increasing transparency in elections, allows for parties in large cities, concerns remain regarding the delayed disclosure of campaign donations. PACE emphasizes its commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency, while some past candidates argue for more immediate disclosure. The City of Edmonton assures that campaign finance information will be publicly accessible by March 2026.
Edmonton is about to experience a new political landscape as the city's first-ever municipal political party, the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton (PACE), officially enters the race. This development coincides with recent legislation changes by the provincial government aimed at enhancing transparency in local elections.
While the Bill 20 legislation, set to take effect in 2025, allows for local political parties and slates on the ballot in Edmonton and Calgary, the largest cities in the province, concerns remain regarding the level of clarity. PACE, a merger of the Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton and Transparent and Active Partnerships Edmonton (TAPYeg), was registered as a party this week. Sheila Phimester, the party's president, emphasizes their commitment to fiscally responsible decision-making and increased transparency. She states that current municipal elections lack transparency due to the requirement for candidates to disclose campaign donations only after the election. PACE aims to address this by providing voters with clearer information about candidate affiliations and funding sources. Former Edmonton city councillor and mayoral candidate, Michael Phair, while welcoming the increased transparency, argues that the legislation falls short in this regard. He expresses disappointment that the provincial government did not mandate real-time disclosure of campaign donations. He highlights that many past candidates, himself included, voluntarily disclosed their donations before advanced voting in previous elections, demonstrating a commitment to transparency. Phair believes that voters ultimately hold the power to decide the fate of municipal parties, and expects Edmontonians to reject them due to concerns about their potential impact on local governance. He draws parallels to the federal and provincial levels, where party politics have faced criticism for hindering effective decision-making. Despite the concerns, the City of Edmonton assures that transparency will be ensured. Campaign disclosure statements for local parties receiving contributions or incurring expenses are due by March 1, 2026. These statements will include the total amount contributed and the names and addresses of contributors exceeding $50. While addresses will be removed, this information will be publicly available on the Edmonton Elections website, allowing voters to assess the financial backing of participating parties. The outcome of this experiment in introducing municipal parties in Edmonton remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly marks a significant shift in the city's political landscape
Municipal Politics Edmonton PACE Party Bill 20 Transparency Campaign Finance Elections
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