Campaign Finance
Campaign finance rules are in place for all municipalities under The Municipal Act. All candidates for Municipal Council must register with the Senior Election Official (SEO) before accepting contributions or spending any money on their campaign. Candidates will be allowed to spend money and collect contributions during the entire campaign period:
Mayors Councillors
May 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 June 30, 2026 to March 31, 2027
Please make an appointment with the SEO to file your registration.
The campaign period extends beyond Election Day to allow candidates to continue to solicit contributions to help cover any campaign expenses or to spend any money left over. For example, candidates may want to host a thank you lunch for their volunteers.
Campaign Account
Candidates must set up a campaign account at a financial institution (ex: bank, credit union,
caisse populaire) if they are going to receive monetary contributions from others. Details of the account, including the name of the financial institution, account number, etc. need to be provided to the SEO on the Registration Form. The campaign account must be used only for election purposes.
Contributions
The maximum amounts an individual can contribute to one candidate:
• $1,500 to mayors/ elected at large;
• $750 to councillors elected by ward;
These contribution limits also apply to candidates and their spouses.
Contributions may only be received from Residents of Manitoba.
Contributions may not be received from:
• Unions, corporations or any other organizations, for example the chamber of commerce or rotary club.
• Anonymous contributors. Any candidate who receives an anonymous contribution must turn it over to the SEO.
Expenses
The limit to campaign expenses that may be incurred by registered candidates for Mayor is $21,800 and for Councillors is $5,500.
Eligible expenses may include but are not limited to:
• Costs for a hall or room rentals for public meetings
• Fees for printing pamphlets, notices and advertisements or making signs
• Costs for hiring vehicles and drivers for campaign purposes
• Costs for food and refreshments for candidates or campaign volunteers served at election meetings
• Travel expenses such as gas
Expenses also include election-related expenses incurred on behalf of the candidate by their campaign (volunteers, agent, etc.).
Non-monetary contributions that were used for the purpose of the election campaign should also be listed as expenses. When the good or service is provided by a person who earns a living providing that good or service, the value of the good or service must be recorded as a non-monetary contribution:
Example - Contribution of a Good
The owner of a local butcher shop wants to donate 100 hotdogs for a BBQ for your campaign workers. The value of those 100 hotdogs must be recorded as a non-monetary contribution.
Example - Contribution of a Service
A self-employed graphic designer wants to help you out by designing a campaign pamphlet. The rate the designer would normally charge a customer must be recorded as a non-monetary contribution.
Not every good or service a candidate receives is a contribution. For example, it is not acontribution if a neighbour bakes muffins for campaign workers or a friend helps you make signs. Details records are required to be sumbitted after the campaign.
Contributions are not tax deductible.
Additional information can be found in the 2026 Candidates Guidebook and the Campaign Expense And Contributions By Law No. 6974C