Financial disclosures reveal significant fundraising and spending among municipal political parties in Calgary during the first half of 2025. Communities First led in donations, but The Calgary Party topped the charts in total revenue and expenses for the same period.
Calgary Municipal Political Party Donations Overview
From January 1 to July 31, 2025, several political parties and mayoral candidates submitted their financial statements. The province mandated these disclosures to ensure transparency, with a deadline of October 1 for filing. Comprehensive reports covering all expenditures for the calendar year will be due in March 2026.
Donation Regulations
Donations to Calgary municipal parties are strictly regulated. Contributors can only donate to parties and candidates if they are Alberta residents, trade unions, or corporations operating in the province.
- Each donor is limited to a total of $5,000 in donations to all parties annually.
- An additional $5,000 can be given to mayoral and council candidates.
- A further $5,000 can be contributed to school board candidates.
Financial Breakdown of Political Parties
Communities First secured $107,484 in donations and raised an additional $14,075 through fundraising events. It reported campaign expenses totaling $121,088 during the first half of the year.
The Calgary Party reported $70,984 in donations and an impressive $233,175 under “other revenue.” These funds represent candidate fees for campaign costs. The party’s total expenses reached $288,521, with substantial spending on advertising and contractors.
A Better Calgary Party lagged in both donations and expenditures, raising only $23,020 and spending $11,662. Executive Director Roy Beyer stated that their grassroots approach limits their financial capacity compared to larger parties.
Mayoral Candidates and Their Campaign Strategies
Among mayoral candidates, Sonya Sharp of Communities First raised the most, with $218,127 in donations, while spending $182,162. Jeromy Farkas followed with $162,338 in contributions and $182,100 in expenses, marking him as a strong contender.
Incumbent Jyoti Gondek received $151,197 in donations and spent $86,086. Brian Thiessen of The Calgary Party raised $145,227 and spent $179,912 on his campaign, showing competitive engagement.
New Disclosure Regulations
The recent mid-year financial disclosures are a new requirement for this election cycle, introduced as part of broader regulatory changes in Alberta’s political landscape. The Calgary Party’s Stephen Carter noted that the additional financial scrutiny increased their accounting costs significantly.
Calgarians will have the opportunity to cast their votes on October 20, 2025. As the municipal elections approach, the implications of these financial insights on the campaigns remain to be seen.
