Thinking of running for council?

ABmunis and RMA tell you what to expect

Across Alberta, a growing number of residents have decided to run in this year’s municipal elections. A new initiative from Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) and Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) is making it easier for them to understand the role before they even get started.

Get the straight goods

The Running for Municipal Office project helps candidates understand what it’s like to serve on council. ABmunis and RMA are offering a series of free one-hour webinars from now until mid September. These sessions feature current councillors sharing their experiences — the good, the difficult and everything in between.

Participants can ask questions and gain greater understanding about the role before they get elected, helping them be more effective as a councillor sooner. It’s a low-pressure, high-value opportunity for anyone curious about what it’s like to be a local elected official.

Real stories with real impact

The Making a Difference in Your Community video series offers candid, behind-the-scenes looks at what it’s like to serve on council.

The short clips feature elected officials from across Alberta discussing a wide variety of topics, including the importance of teamwork on council, how the role can affect family life, what a typical council day looks like, the time commitment involved, and the most rewarding parts of the job.

Resources to help you succeed

ABmunis has also published a 2025 candidates guide and a social media toolkit to help new candidates navigate the campaign trail. Both are available at the Alberta Municipalities website and are packed with practical advice and tools.

Training for newly elected councillors

Once elected, councillors must complete training on the fundamentals of municipal government within 90 days of taking office.

The Munis 101 course, offered by the Elected Officials Education Program, covers municipal governance and budgeting, roles and responsibilities of council and staff, and public engagement and planning.

Municipalities are encouraged to preregister their councils now to ensure timely access to training after the election. More information about Munis 101 and other courses offered to local elected officials is available at the EOEP website.

Ready to take the next step?

Alberta’s local governments need thoughtful, passionate people working in a healthy democracy to lead their growing communities effectively. By providing early guidance and support before entering a demanding, extraordinary, but extremely valuable role on council, Alberta’s communities will be well served by their community leaders.

If you are running for council, visit ABmunis.ca to explore resources, register for a webinar, and gain a greater understanding of what it means to be a community builder.