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

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