News Releases and Media Advisories

Chief Electoral Officer Hosts Meeting of the
Advisory Committee of Political Parties

Gatineau, Friday, December 5, 2014

• Among the changes to the Canada Elections Act (the Act) that were adopted by Parliament on June 19, 2014, was the establishment of the Advisory Committee of Political Parties (ACPP). The ACPP consists of the Chief Electoral Officer and two representatives of each registered political party. While its title and purpose have now been formalized in the legislation, the ACPP has been meeting on an ongoing basis since it was created in 1998.
• The purpose of the ACPP is to provide the Chief Electoral Officer with advice and recommendations relating to elections and political financing. The ACPP's advice and recommendations, while not binding, are of great value to the Chief Electoral Officer.
• The ACPP has met twice this fall, in October and December, to discuss the implementation of Bill C-23 and preparations for the next federal general election. Topics of discussion included the elector information program, procedures regarding the activities of candidates' representatives at the polls, the election evaluation and audit of poll officials' performance, and changes to political party expense returns.
• The Commissioner of Canada Elections and officials from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission were also present to brief ACPP members about their respective roles with regard to the electoral process.
• Another key point of discussion was the role the ACPP members and registered political parties will play in the new process for issuing written opinions, guidelines and interpretation notes on the application of the Act to political entities.

"This meeting of the renewed Advisory Committee of Political Parties is a key milestone in our continuing implementation of the legislative amendments brought about by Bill C-23," said Marc Mayrand. "The representatives of the registered political parties engaged in productive discussions with Elections Canada officials about our approach to implementing these important changes to the electoral process. I appreciated the opportunity to share details about our preparations for the next general election. The feedback received from the ACPP members will be of great assistance to us as we continue our election readiness activities."

Elections Canada is an independent body set up by Parliament.

Information:
Elections Canada Media Relations
1-877-877-9515
or at www.elections.ca