Alberta's Chief Electoral Officer Brian Fjeldheim. (Ian Kucerak/QMI Agency)

EDMONTON - Dozens of illegal donations to Alberta’s Tories will have to be returned and the donors will be fined, after an investigation by the Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer.

Publicizing the donations from municipalities and schools should be a lesson they never forget, warns Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer Brian Fjeldheim.

Between 2010 and 2011, the Progressive Conservative Association accepted 45 donations from municipalities and schools, totaling just over $22,000, in violation of the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.

The donors who made illegal contributions to the party have all paid their fines, but returning the money in some cases is voluntary because the new rules didn’t come into effect until April 22, 2010.