open Secondary menu

Political Financing Handbook for Electoral District Associations and Financial Agents (EC 20089) – December 2023

About This Document

Introduction to the handbook

This handbook is designed to help electoral district associations and their financial agents in the financial administration of the association.

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 this release?

Release Where Title Summary
December 2023 All n/a Contribution limits for 2024 updated in tables and examples.
Chapter 1 Reporting obligations of an electoral district association Corrected to state that only outgoing transfers are excluded from the audit threshold.
Important reminders for registered associations, financial agents and electoral district agents Reminders were simplified and reformatted.
Chapter 2 Activities and obligations after receiving a notice of deregistration Added content on the disposal of assets, as per OGI 2022-01, Assets of Deregistered Electoral District Associations.
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 5 Transfers sent by the registered association Clarified what it means for property or services to be "offered equally."
Chapter 6 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 Voter databases, surveys and research Added content as per OGI 2022-03, Voter Databases and Election Expenses.
Chapter 12 Redistribution of Electoral Districts New chapter about the impacts of electoral redistribution on registered parties and associations.

Contact information

Website elections.ca
Political Entities
Support Network

Telephone
1-800-486-6563
TTY: 1-800-361-8935

Email
Political financing and registration questions:
political.financing@elections.ca

Portal and election support:
csep-pesc@elections.ca

Regular hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time)

Elections Canada
General Enquiries

Telephone
1-800-463-6868
TTY: 1-800-361-8935

Mail

30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M6