Municipal Election

Mayor Jeff Genung has officially kicked off his campaign to serve a third term, emphasizing managing the town’s rapid growth as his top priority.

Although Genung’s intention to run again was widely known, an Aug. 11 announcement marked the formal start of what he described as a “conversations and community-focused” election.

The list of prospective candidates for the upcoming Grande Prairie Municipal Election continues to grow. 

The nomination period for the 2025 Municipal Election will run until noon on September 22, 2025.

Outside of Nomination Day, prospective candidates must book an appointment with the Returning Officer at 780-357-4954. 

On Nomination Day, September 22, papers can be delivered to City Hall between 8:30am and noon. 

Election Day is set for Monday, October 20, with voting stations open from 10:00am to 8:00pm. 

As summer comes to an end, a new season will begin. Not just the fall, but election season.

Municipalities across Alberta will vote for council, mayor, and school boards.

As of Tuesday (Aug. 12), eight people in Strathmore have announced a run for council or mayor.

One of those people is banker Jim Chisholm, who has lived in Strathmore since 2013.

Chisholm has worked in the banking industry since 1982.

He retired over a year ago, but was looking for something to get involved with, and council was the way to go.

First-time Airdrie city council candidate Mo Fahad Shaukat says the city’s rapid expansion can’t come at the expense of basic services, and he’s willing to take unpopular stands to make sure it grows responsibly.

“Population has already reached over 90,000 as of April 2025, it’s expected to climb to more than 130,000 within the next 10 years,” Shaukat said in an Aug. 6 interview with DiscoverAirdrie. “We are well on our way to become one of the largest cities, maybe even the third largest city in Alberta. That kind of growth isn’t just fast. It’s transformative.”

Airdrie voters will head to the polls Oct. 20 to elect a mayor and six councillors, with voting taking place at locations across the city.

Advance voting will be held on the following dates and locations, the City of Airdrie says:

• City Hall (late night): Oct. 6–10, 4:30 to 10 p.m.

• City Hall (early morning): Oct. 14–17, 6:30 to 2:30 p.m.

• Town and Country Centre: Oct. 8, 11, 14 and 16

City of Grande Prairie residents are encouraged to register to vote in advance of the 2025 Municipal Election by August 15, 2025. Advance registration helps ensure a quicker, more convenient voting experience by reducing wait times and streamlining the process at the polls.

Residents can check their registration status or register easily by visiting voterlink.ab.ca. The process is simple and takes just a few minutes.

 Town councillor Patrick Wilson is seeking a third term this fall, with a renewed focus on what he calls the most pressing issue facing Cochrane: ensuring growth pays for itself.

Wilson, who first ran in 2017 citing concerns over traffic, fiscal responsibility, and what he viewed as excessive legislation, says he still has “unfinished business” and plans to continue pushing for reform in how the town approaches development.

Chad Stewart, a longtime Airdrie resident and part-time firefighter, is seeking his first seat on city council in the 2025 municipal election.

“I’ve been here since 1996, and I’ve seen the city grow from 18,000 to over 90,000,” Stewart said in an Aug. 5 interview with DiscoverAirdrie.

Stewart has served as a part-time firefighter and registered Primary Care Paramedic with Rocky View County for 16 years. He retired from Eaton in 2024 after 26 years with the company, where he held roles in production coordination, supervision and management.

The City of Grande Prairie is inviting prospective candidates to attend the final information event in its two-part series designed to support those considering a run for municipal office in the 2025 Municipal Election. This session is designed to provide information about the municipal budget and the responsibilities of elected officials in the budget approval process.

Session Two: Introduction to Municipal Budgeting