Alberta municipal candidates weigh options with financial advantages given to parties

This year, municipal candidates in Calgary and Edmonton face a decision they've never had to make: whether to join a political party.

But the choice represents more than the embrace or rejection of a new political system. It's a decision that will affect the flow of money into their campaigns.

In addition to the introduction of municipal parties this year in Edmonton and Calgary, new campaign finance rules in Alberta will advantage candidates running as a party -- but many mayoral candidates are choosing to reject the party system and run independently, even though it puts them at a financial disadvantage.

"For me, it's a matter of right or wrong. Just because something is legal doesn't mean you should do it," said Jeromy Farkas, a former Calgary city councillor running for mayor as an