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Modernizing the Electoral Process – Recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada following the 37th general election


Appendix 2

Illustration of Recommended Party Status

Summary

A party which applies to the Chief Electoral Officer for party status becomes an eligible party when it satisfies the administrative requirements of s. 366.

An eligible party which subsequently meets the requirements to be a registered party becomes a registered party at that time.

A registered party which fails to meet the requirements for registered status, but meets the requirements for eligible status, becomes an eligible party.

A registered or eligible party which fails to meet either the requirements for registered or eligible status loses its party status under the Act.

Illustrative Table
1. A party applies to the CEO for party status and satisfies administrative requirements of s. 366 (name, officers, administrative info, signatures of electors, etc.)
  Status: eligible party
  Rights and obligations:
  • name reserved as long as remains an eligible or registered party
  • reporting obligation
  • auditor fee payment
2. If by-election called and party runs a candidate
  Status: eligible party
  Rights and obligations:
  • party spending limit
  • political participation rights (name on ballot, access to lists, candidate surplus)
  • election reporting obligation
  • auditor fee payment
3. At next general election
  (a) Party runs 50 or more candidates
  Status: registered party
  Rights and obligations:
  • party spending limits
  • ability to give tax receipts for contributions received since more recent of either last general election/date party passed administrative hurdles for eligible status
  • broadcasting rights
  • election expense reimbursement
  • political participation rights
  • auditor fee payment
  (b) Party runs 1 to 49 candidates
  Status: eligible party
  Rights and obligations:
  • party spending limits
  • political participation rights
  • auditor fee payment
  (c) Party runs 0 candidates
  Status: loses party status
  Rights and obligations:
  • final reporting obligation
  • auditor fee payment
  • winding up duties (which may be delayed)