Political Financing Handbook for Candidates and Official Agents (EC 20155) – April 2024
About This Document
Introduction to the handbook
This handbook is designed to help candidates and their official agents in administering the candidate's campaign before, during and after an election.
This document is a general guideline issued pursuant to section 16.1 of the Canada Elections Act. It is provided for information and is not intended to replace the Act.
Elections Canada will review the contents of this handbook on a regular basis and make updates as required.
Note: In this handbook, the term "individual" refers to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident when used in the context of contributions or loans.
What's new in recent releases?
Release | Where | Title | Summary |
---|---|---|---|
April 2024 | Chapter 9 | Campaign workers and related expenses | Added a reminder that, without supporting documents, expenses paid using gift cards may not be reimbursed. |
Chapter 17 | Failure to report by candidates and members of Parliament | Clarified that a candidate who filed late must have received a filing extension for the missed deadline to be eligible to run in a future election. | |
December 2023 | All | n/a | Contribution limits for 2024 updated in tables and examples. |
Chapter 1 | Important reminders for candidates and their official agents | Reminders were simplified and reformatted. | |
Chapter 2 | Closing the candidate's campaign | Clarified that a confirmed candidate who withdraws must still meet financial and reporting obligations. | |
Chapter 3 | Accepting and recording contributions | Clarified that a contributor's business address cannot be recorded in place of their home address. | |
Remitting anonymous contributions that cannot be accepted Returning ineligible or non-compliant contributions |
Added the option to remit contributions by bank transfer. | ||
Chapter 7 | Regulated fundraising events | Added details on reporting an event location and returning contributions, as per OGIs 2022-04, Disclosing the Location of a Regulated Fundraising Event and 2023-01, Regulated Fundraising Events. | |
Chapter 9 | Traditional election advertising Election signs |
Clarified that the blackout period does not apply to putting up signs or non-web banners on election day. | |
Websites and web content | Clarified that web content shared by an affiliated political entity is reported by only one entity. | ||
Voter databases, surveys and research Parliamentary database of a member of Parliament |
New position that use of existing voter database software is an election expense. Added content as per OGI 2022-03, Voter Databases and Election Expenses. | ||
Cell phones | New position that only the incremental cost to use a personal cell phone during an election may be an election expense. | ||
Campaign workers and related expenses | Added content on providing gift cards to cover incidental expenses. | ||
Chapter 12 | Reimbursement for a judicial recount | New section on applying for a reimbursement of recount costs. | |
Chapter 14 | Activities to close out the campaign | New section on the treatment of closing activities as other electoral campaign expenses. | |
Chapter 15 | Parliamentarians or other candidates campaigning for a local candidate | New example of candidates campaigning for each other at the suggestion of the party. | |
Candidates campaigning for the registered party | New section on reporting expenses when a candidate goes on tour for the party. | ||
Chapter 17 | Supporting documents | New section on documents that must be submitted with financial returns. | |
Chapter 18 | Reimbursements and overpayments | Added a reminder to provide adequate supporting documents for a reimbursement. | |
Chapter 20 | If the official agent is aware of a surplus | Section deleted because it is not used in practice. |
Contact information
Website | elections.ca |
---|---|
Political Entities Support Network |
Telephone |
Elections Canada General Enquiries |
Telephone |
30 Victoria Street |