Job Description

Nominations close: September 22, 2025 at noon

On this page:

In the 2025 Town of Strathmore Municipal Election, you can become a candidate for one of the following:

• Mayor
• Councillor

The Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) governs elections for Alberta’s local jurisdictions, including Strathmore Town Council. Prospective candidates should refer to the LAEA for complete details on the nomination process and obtain legal advice regarding the full extent of their obligations.

Overview

Serving in the level of government closest to the community is a fulfilling experience. Councillors represent the needs and aspirations of their communities, making significant decisions on their behalf.

If you are passionate about your local community then you already have what it takes to become a Councillor. There are no special qualifications to become a Councillor other than a desire and enthusiasm to serve your community. Generally, if you are eligible to vote in Strathmore’s municipal election, you are eligible to stand as a candidate for election to the council. You’ll benefit from the skills you develop – and you can learn most of these on the job.

Understanding the position

As a member of Council, you will have the opportunity to significantly influence the future of your community. All decisions must be made at meetings, held in public, at which a quorum is present.

As an individual member of Council, you will not have the power to commit the municipality to any expenditure or to direct the activities of municipal employees. Any promise you make as part of your election campaign that involves municipal expenditures or the activities of employees can only be carried out if a majority of Council votes in favor of the matter at a publicly held meeting.

The role of Council is to work together to set the overall direction of the municipality through their position as a policy maker. The policies that Council sets are the guidelines for Administration to follow as they perform the day-to-day operations of the Town.

If you are elected as a Councillor, you will be required to make a nearly four-year commitment to the community. Meetings, preparation time and public engagement can add up.  Not everyone will share the same views, and that’s OK!  You will need to balance individual constituent needs with those of the wider community, and sometimes make decisions that are not always popular.

To get a good idea of what it’s like to be a Councillor in Strathmore, consider speaking to a past or present local Councillor. Standing for council is a personal choice. Only you can understand your own circumstances and what the commitment means for you. 

Determines the "how"Management (Administration)

Government (Council)

Determines the “what”

The making of operating decisions by Administration.

Strategic Plan development

• Mission
• Values
• Strategic actions
• Departmental business plans

Implement policies (and development of procedures)

Enforce bylaws

Manage budget

• Financial report

Provide information and recommendations

Councillors

The Municipal Government Act provides that every municipality shall have a Council, the members of which shall be elected in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act. The Municipal Government Act provides for a broad spectrum of powers and duties for a Council and Councillors. The duties of Councillors include:

• to consider the welfare and interests of the Town as a whole and to bring to Council’s attention anything that would promote the welfare or interests of the Town;
• to promote an integrated and strategic approach to intermunicipal land use planning and service delivery with neighbouring municipalities;
• to participate generally in developing and evaluating the policies and programs of the Town;
• to participate in Council meetings and Council Committee meetings and meetings of other bodies to which they are appointed by Council;
• to obtain information about the operation or administration of the municipality from the Town Manager (CAO) or their designate;
• to keep in confidence matters discussed in closed session (in-camera) at a Council or Council Committee meeting until discussed at a meeting held in public;
• to adhere to the Code of Conduct established by the Council;
• to perform any other duty or function imposed on Councillors by the MGA or any other enactment or by resolution of the Council.

Each year, at the organizational meeting, Councillors are appointed to various Standing Committees. Each Councillor is appointed Deputy Mayor for a period of approximately eight months (1/6 of a 4-year term) to fulfill the obligations of the Mayor in their absence, and to assist the Mayor as required. This schedule is set in the fall at the annual organizational meeting.

Mayor

In addition to performing the duties of a Councillor, the Mayor also has the following duties:

• to preside when in attendance at a Council meeting;
• signs all bylaws, Council policies, and Council minutes that Council passes at a meeting in which they are presiding; as well as many contracts and agreements the Town enters into;
• to perform any other duty imposed on the Mayor by an enactment, bylaw, or resolution of Council; and
• typically, the Mayor is also the main spokesperson for the municipality.

For reference: 

Steps to becoming a candidate

Step 1 - Check your eligibility

Who can be a candidate

You can be nominated as a candidate if you are:

• Eligible to vote in the election;
• A resident of Strathmore for the six months leading up to Nomination Day; and
• Not otherwise ineligible or disqualified under sections 22, 23 and 23.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act.

Who cannot be a candidate

You cannot be a candidate if you:

• Are an employee of the Office of the Ombudsman who has not taken a leave of absence before Nomination Day.
• Are an auditor of the local jurisdiction where you are running.
• Are an employee of The Town of Strathmore who is running for Council and who has not taken a leave of absence before Nomination Day.
• Are in default to The Town of Strathmore more than $50 in taxes in arrears (does not include current taxes or a consolidation agreement in good standing).
• Owe The Town of Strathmore $500 or more and in default for more than 90 days.
• Have been convicted of an offence in the last 10 years under the Local Authorities Election Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Actor the Canada Elections Act(federal).
• Have been convicted of an offense under Section 123, 124, or 125 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
• Are serving an ineligibility period due to your name appearing in a non-compliance report to Council.
• Accept or spend an anonymous or unauthorized contribution after submitting an intent to run notice.

Step 2 - Notice of intent to be nominated (if applicable)

Notice requirement

Individuals who intend to incur campaign expenses or receive campaign contributions in anticipation of being nominated as a candidate are required to file a notice.

Submit the notice in writing and include the following:

1. full name, address, and contact information of the individual;
2. address of the place or places where records of the individual are maintained;
3. address of the place to which communications may be sent;
4. names and addresses of the financial institutions where campaign contributions will be deposited; and
5. names of the individuals with signing authority for each campaign account above.

The Town of Strathmore will confirm acceptance of all notices received.

Submit the notice of intent to be nominated

The notice of intent to be nominated can be submitted in one of the following ways:

Email:  elections@strathmore.ca  

Mail:
Town of Strathmore
Attn: Johnathan Strathdee, Returning Officer
Box 2280,
1 Park Lane Dr.,
Strathmore, AB, T1P 1K2

In-person: Strathmore Municipal Building Office, 1 Park Lane Drive

Step 3 - File Nomination

Nomination requirements

The following items are required for your nomination to be complete:

• Form 4 Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance
• Form 5 Candidate Financial Information
• Candidate and Official Agent Contact Information Form
• Deposit payment

File nomination

Deadline: You must file your nomination on or before Nomination Day on September 22, 2025 at noon.

Another person may file the nomination on your behalf. However, you are responsible for ensuring the nomination is accurate and complete.

File your nomination (with completed forms and deposit payment) by mail, courier, or in-person appointment.

Mail or courier:

A certified cheque or money order payable to “The Town of Strathmore” will be accepted. Do not send cash deposits via mail or courier.

Canada Post regular and registered mail address:
Town of Strathmore
Attn: Johnathan Strathdee, Returning Officer
Box 2280,
1 Park Lane Dr.,
Strathmore, AB, T1P 1K2

Courier and deliveries address:
Town of Strathmore
Attn: Johnathan Strathdee, Returning Officer
Strathmore Municipal Building
1 Park Lane Dr.,
Strathmore, AB, T1P 1K2

In-person appointment:

Strathmore Municipal Building, 1 Park Lane Drive

Additional information

Links to bylaws that may contain helpful information for candidates:

Frequently Asked Questions

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