News Releases and Media Advisories
Election reminder for the media:
Opinion Polls Must Comply with Election Law
Gatineau, Wednesday, October 7, 2015
- The publication of opinion polls during the 42nd general election is regulated by sections 326, 327, and 328 of the Canada Elections Act.
- The first person or media outlet to release the results must indicate:
- who sponsored the survey (for example, the news organization or political party that paid for the poll)
- who conducted the poll
- when the poll was conducted
- the population from which the survey was drawn
- how many persons were contacted
- the survey's margin of error
- if the survey was not conducted using recognized statistical methods
- Print and Internet publishers must include the wording of the survey questions and instructions on how readers can obtain the written report.
- The survey sponsor must make the written report available on request, at a cost of no more than $0.25 per page.
- Any media outlet that broadcasts or publishes survey results within 24 hours of initial publication must provide the same information.
- No new opinion survey results may be published on election day before polling stations close.
Elections Canada is an independent body set up by Parliament.
Information:
Elections Canada Media Relations
1-877-877-9515
www.elections.ca
For election updates, subscribe to our news service at elections.ca.