Elections

To run in the 2025 election, candidates must submit a nomination package to the City of Edmonton by September 22, 2025. This includes completed forms, signatures from at least 25 eligible voters, and a deposit. For full details and required forms, visit the City of Edmonton’s Nomination Process page. 

As part of the nomination process, all ECSD Trustee candidates are required to submit a Criminal Record Check completed by the Edmonton Police Service. This must include a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check and be dated no more than 45 days prior to the submission of nomination materials. Please note that all associated costs are the responsibility of the candidate.

After submitting their Notice of Intent and receiving confirmation from Edmonton Elections that their Notice of Intent has been confirmed, candidates must contact the Corporate Secretary to the Board of Trustees of Edmonton Catholic Schools at courtney.naccarato@ecsd.net or 780-441-6004 to initiate the Criminal Record Check process. 

Candidates will be required to provide consent for the Division to facilitate this process on their behalf and as required in order to qualify for nomination as a candidate for Trustee with the Board of Trustees of Edmonton Catholic Separate School Division. Once advised by the Board Office to do so, Trustee Candidates will be directed to either visit the Nexus Business Park at #108, 14315-118 Avenue or proceed online to acquire their Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check at the same time. Candidates must allow for sufficient time for the process to be completed, as delays may affect their eligibility for nomination. Neither the Division nor EPS will be responsible should the Candidate not receive their required documents in time to be eligible for election.

The results of the vulnerable sector police information check will be provided to the Trustee Candidate by the Edmonton Police Service. Upon receipt of the same, you will be required to provide those results for submission to Edmonton Elections as part of the nomination package.

If you require additional information, please contact Courtney Naccarato at 780-441-6004 or courtney.naccarato@ecsd.net. 

Edmonton Elections offers virtual information sessions  about the 2025 Edmonton Election, including the video below from December 2024, which walks potential candidates through the nomination process

Edmonton Catholic Schools is committed to maintaining a non-partisan environment throughout the election period.

Campaigning, canvassing, or distributing political materials on school property is strictly prohibited. Violations will be reported to Edmonton Elections. 

Physical school property includes school buildings, grounds, parking lots, and sidewalks leading to schools. 

Digital school property includes assets managed by the school or Division, such as school social media accounts. These accounts are used for official communication and are governed by the same rules as physical property. Use of school social media accounts for campaign purposes is strictly prohibited and posts will be deleted.

For further information, refer to Administrative Procedure 154 - Political Canvassing on School Property.

As locally-elected representatives of the public, individual trustees are accountable to their constituents and responsible for overseeing and directing the school division’s operations.  Trustees form the governing body of the School Board and play a vital role as communicators, policy makers, role models and politicians.  A trustee participates in making decisions that benefit the entire Division while representing the views of their constituents and communicates board decisions back to their constituents. 

Catholic school trustees also play an integral role as advocates for Catholic education by ensuring students receive an education permeated by our Catholic faith. As governors of an Alberta Catholic school division, our Board of Trustees is accountable to both the Archbishop of Edmonton and the Minister of Education.

Advocate:

Trustees act to defend and advocate for government policy, legislation and funding that protects the distinctive nature of Catholic education.

Communicator:

Trustees build significant partnerships within and beyond the Catholic community in support of Catholic education.

Goal Setter: 

The Board of Trustees has the responsibility to:

• approve the Division’s Plan for Continuous Growth
• approve the Division’s annual budget
• approved the Division’s Capital Plan
• support our Division’s mission and vision
• appoint, hold accountable, and support the Chief Superintendent

Policy Maker: 

Trustees develop and maintain policies, regularly evaluate the impact and effectiveness of these policies, and make adjustments where necessary.

Role Model:

Trustees maintain a positive image locally, provincially and nationally.

Anyone considering running for office should confirm their eligibility as a first step. To be eligible, a prospective candidate must be:

• At least 18 years old on nomination day (September 22, 2025)
• A Canadian citizen
• A resident of Edmonton for the 6 consecutive months immediately before nomination day
• A resident of Edmonton on Election Day

Candidates seeking trusteeship for our Division must also be Catholic.

Candidates may not be an employee, in any capacity, of Edmonton Catholic Schools unless they take a leave of absence.  

There may be other reasons an individual is ineligible to register as a candidate. You can find detailed information in sections 21-24 of the Local Authorities Election Act.

The Catholic Bishops of Alberta have written a letter encouraging all Catholics to participate in the October 20, 2025 municipal election, with special attention to the election of Catholic school trustees. 

Click here to read their message about the importance of Catholic education, the role of trustees, and voting as an act of faith, hope, and charity for our communities and the Church’s mission.

• About Edmonton Catholic Schools
• Edmonton Elections
• Alberta Education - School Board Elections Guide
• Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association
• Alberta School Boards Association
• Archdiocese of Edmonton Policy 1101 – Catholic School Board Trustee Election Protocol in Parishes