Advisory Groups

• Advisory Circle of Educators
• Advisory Group for Disability Issues
• Advisory Committee of Political Parties

Advisory Circle of Educators

The Advisory Circle of Educators (ACOE) is a committee that advises Elections Canada on matters related to education at the primary and secondary levels. Elections Canada consults the ACOE on best practices in the development of educational resources, future directions for its civic education program and ways to encourage uptake by teachers.

The ACOE was created in November 2017. Membership includes educators from each province and territory. To ensure a broad range of perspectives, membership includes classroom teachers, Indigenous educators, school administrators, Ministry of Education officials, curriculum consultants and academics.

• Terms of Reference
• Members of the Advisory Circle of Educators
• Elections Canada's Civic Education program
• Meeting summaries

Advisory Group for Disability Issues

Elections Canada works with a number of external organizations and people with disabilities to inform its programs and services.

In February 2014, Elections Canada launched an Advisory Group for Disability Issues to provide subject matter expertise and advice on accessibility initiatives. The group also helped to identify the best ways to inform people with disabilities of when, where and the ways to register and vote.

• Terms of reference
• Members of the Advisory Group
• Meeting Summaries

More information on the advisory group, the work that's been done and the work that is ongoing to improve the accessibility of federal elections in Canada.

Advisory Committee of Political Parties

The Advisory Committee of Political Parties (the Committee) is a forum for registered political parties to share information with and provide advice to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on the conduct of elections, the administration of the Canada Elections Act (the Act) and matters related to political financing.

The Committee was originally created in 1998 by Elections Canada and was given legal recognition on June 19, 2014, with the passage of the Fair Elections Act.

The Committee brings together two representatives from each registered political party and is chaired by the CEO. It must meet at least once a year.

As a result of this collaboration, Elections Canada has a better understanding of the needs of political entities, including political parties, electoral district associations and candidates.

• Terms of Reference
• Registered Political Parties
• Meeting Summaries

Steering Committee on Written Opinions, Guidelines and Interpretation Notes

Since the passage of the Fair Elections Act, the Committee also advises the CEO in the development of opinions, guidelines and interpretation (OGI) notes to political entities on the application of the Act.

The OGI Steering Committee was established to help registered parties participate in the development process. This committee includes one representative from each party and meets at least once a year, usually during the annual general meeting of the Advisory Committee of Political Parties.