Disclosing All the Campaign Finances: A Commitment to Transparency

One of the values that has guided both of my campaigns, in 2021 and now in 2025, is transparency. I believe that when people put their trust in you to represent them, that trust must extend to how your campaign is funded and how decisions are made.

That’s why, just like in my last campaign, I’ve made the full list of donations to my campaign publicly available on my website. You can view it anytime at www.gisellegeneral.ca/donate. The list is kept up to date and includes every contribution I’ve received so far, as of the Thanksgiving long weekend. This includes both financial and in-kind donations, every bit of support that has helped this campaign move forward.

From experience, I know that donations often continue to come in right up to Election Day (and sometimes even after!). Since our team will be fully focused on the final push to encourage voter turnout, any donations that arrive this week will be reflected in the official disclosure to Elections Edmonton within the required deadline. That means journalists, researchers, and anyone interested in campaign finance will be able to review the complete information through official records once the election concludes.

The link to see the official disclosure of all candidates from Elections Edmonton can be found here: www.edmonton.ca/city_government/municipal_elections/campaign-finances.

Why Transparency Matters

Municipal elections are about local services and local priorities. Voters deserve to know who is supporting the people who want to make decisions on their behalf.

Sharing my donor list is one way I can show that my campaign is rooted in community support, not big money or special interests. Every name and dollar on that list represents someone who believes in accessible, responsive, and responsible city government. Many are neighbours, colleagues, small business owners, and community volunteers, people who want to see a city that works better for everyone.

The Rules We All Follow

Under Alberta’s Local Authorities Election Act, all candidates must follow clear rules about campaign financing:

• Individuals can donate up to $5,000 per calendar year, across all Edmonton municipal candidates combined.

• Corporations, unions, and similar organizations can donate up to $5,000 per campaign period, also across all Edmonton candidates.

• In this election, candidates are required to file two disclosure forms — an Interim Disclosure Form (listing donations up to July 31, due by September 30) and a Final Disclosure Form (due as late as March 2, 2026).

These rules exist to keep local elections fair, transparent, and community-centered, which are principles I wholeheartedly support.

My Personal Financial Contribution

When I first immigrated to Canada, I learned the saying, “Put your money where your mouth is.”

Running for city councillor has been one of the most meaningful ways I’ve done that. Beyond the time, energy, and heart I’ve poured into this campaign, I’ve also made personal financial contributions to help make it possible.

Over the past three months, I’ve used up my vacation time and taken an unpaid leave of absence from work to campaign full-time. My husband and I live in a modest household, and the funds I contributed came from years of careful budgeting and saving. It is to make sure we could continue to pay our bills and stay secure, regardless of the election’s outcome.

It was a real sacrifice, one that required planning and courage, but it’s a decision we made together because I deeply believe in serving our city and making Edmonton better for all of us.

A Grassroots Campaign

This campaign continues to be powered by everyday Edmontonians. Not large organizations, political parties, or deep-pocketed donors. Most of the contributions I’ve received are small amounts from people who give what they can because they believe in having diverse voices and lived experiences at City Hall.

I’m proud to run a grassroots campaign that reflects the same values I bring to public service: accountability, integrity, and care for our community.

Thank You for Your Support

Every contribution, whether financial, in-kind, volunteer time, or moral encouragement, means so much. It makes it possible to print materials, produce online content, attend community events, and connect with residents across Ward sipiwiyiniwak.

If you’d like to learn more about how donations help, or to make a contribution yourself, please visit www.gisellegeneral.ca/donate.

Thank you for helping build a campaign that’s open, transparent, and people-powered.