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As some hailed a “turning point” in what has been a rocky relationship between cities and the province on Thursday, mayors and municipal leaders expressed concern about increasing partisanship and corporate money in local elections after the province said it is considering unknown changes to local campaign legislation.

Speaking from the Chateau Lacombe on Thursday as hundreds of municipal leaders gathered for the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) President’s Summit, Minister of Municipal Affairs Kaycee Madu said the province is mulling changes to the Local Authorities Elections Act, which regulates campaign finance, nomination periods, and third-party advertisers.

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“Our government has no intention to introduce partisan politics into municipal elections,” said Madu, who did not comment on what changes were being considered.

Mayor Don Iveson said Madu’s comments were the first confirmation he’s heard of the potential changes, and that cities are tired of not being consulted on changes that impact them acutely.