2019–20 Departmental Plan
Spending and Human Resources
Financial Framework
Elections Canada's unique dual-funding mechanism and planning practices are a function of its mandate. The agency is funded in part by an annual appropriation that covers the salaries of its indeterminate positions and is not affected by the electoral cycle. The agency also has a statutory authority that allows it to draw directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for all other expenses. The statutory authority ensures that Elections Canada has access to the funds required for elections that may occur at any time, and reflects Elections Canada's independence from the government.
Under Canada's parliamentary system, general elections are scheduled to take place on fixed dates but can still be called in advance, particularly during a minority government. By-elections, which take place whenever seats in the House of Commons become vacant, are also unpredictable as Elections Canada has no control over their frequency and timing. Legislative changes and market forces for procured goods and services can also significantly impact a general election.
Planned Spending
Totals may not add up due to rounding.
Core Responsibilities and Internal Services* | 2016–17 Expenditures* |
2017–18 Expenditures* |
2018–19 Forecast Spending |
2019–20 Main Estimates |
2019–20 Planned Spending |
2020–21 Planned Spending |
2021–22 Planned Spending |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Electoral Administration and Oversight | n/a | n/a | 136,198,580 | 452,267,740 | 452,267,740 | 77,937,719 | 74,728,569 |
Electoral Operations | 47,152,229 | 62,296,091 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Regulation of Electoral Activities | 12,698,073 | 15,196,088 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Electoral Engagement | 8,835,883 | 10,793,892 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Subtotal | 68,686,185 | 88,286,071 | 136,198,580 | 452,267,740 | 452,267,740 | 77,937,719 | 74,728,569 |
Internal Services | 33,745,539 | 43,199,650 | 64,537,509 | 40,968,036 | 40,968,036 | 35,706,323 | 36,124,790 |
Total | 102,431,724 | 131,485,721 | 200,736,089 | 493,235,776 | 493,235,776 | 113,644,042 | 110,853,359 |
* Starting in 2018–19, program-level information is available in the GC InfoBaseFootnote iv
The total planned spending show the year-to-year fluctuation in the agency's resources. The spending pattern is a result of the election cycle, which during a majority government spans four years, and is typical for the agency. In 2016–17, Elections Canada initiated a number of initiatives for asset renewal and electoral services modernization, with increased expenditures in 2017–18, reaching a peak in 2018–19. Starting in 2018–19 the agency also increased its field operations in preparation for the conduct of the October 2019 general election. The increase in the 2019–20 planned spending includes expenditures in support of the delivery of the election. In the years following an election (2020–21 and 2021–22) expenditures drop sharply, returning to their usual level as election activities wind down. These variations affect only the statutory portion of the funding.
Due to the election cycle, the annual percentage of Internal Services over total expenditures varies significantly. In the years covered above, it varies from 8% to 33%, with an average of 22% over the period.
Estimated Cost of the 2019 General Election
Incremental expenditures for the October 2019 general election span over five fiscal years, with 85% being incurred during the 2019–20 fiscal year. The overall cost of the 43rd general election is estimated at $470 million. This represents approximately $17.26 for each registered elector, and compares to $18.19 for the 42nd general election. The decrease is mainly due to the fact that the last election was held under a 78-day calendar, while the preliminary estimate for the upcoming election is based on a 36-day event. The cost of the election does not, at this time, reflect incremental expenditures related to the implementation of Bill C-76 which received Royal Assent on December 13, 2018. In addition, a number of factors may influence actual expenses, such as the duration of the campaign, the level of spending by political entities, required adjustments to election worker fees and allowances, and prevailing market conditions for advertising and for the rental of local offices, furniture and equipment.
Activity | Estimated cost ($ millions) |
---|---|
Preparing for and conducting the general election – Includes expenses related to fees and allowances to returning officers and election staff, printing ballots and lists of electors, leasing local offices and polling stations, shipping election material, running communications campaigns, hiring temporary staff and deploying IT infrastructure and telecommunications, among other activities. | 399.3 |
Reimbursing election expenses to political parties, candidates and subsidies to candidates' auditors. | 70.7 |
Total estimated cost | 470.0 |
Planned Human Resources
Core Responsibility and Internal Services |
2016–17 Actual FTEs* |
2017–18 Actual FTEs* |
2018–19 Forecast FTEs |
2019–20 Planned FTEs | 2020–21 Planned FTEs | 2021–22 Planned FTEs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Electoral Administration and Oversight | n/a | n/a | 527 | 791 | 507 | 494 |
Electoral Operations | 262 | 277 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Regulation of Electoral Activities | 87 | 79 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Electoral Engagement | 71 | 72 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Subtotal | 420 | 428 | 527 | 791 | 507 | 494 |
Internal Services | 143 | 178 | 215 | 229 | 239 | 241 |
Total | 563 | 606 | 742 | 1,020 | 746 | 735 |
* Starting in 2018–19, program-level information is available in the GC InfoBaseFootnote v
The fluctuation in FTEs is a result of the election cycle, largely explained by the same reasons stated in the Budgetary Performance Summary. Furthermore, the agency's FTEs will increase as a result of the Budget 2018 measure on Rebalancing Elections Canada's Expenditures, starting in 2019–20 and reaching the ongoing total increase of 54 FTEs in 2020–21.
Estimates by Vote
For information on Elections Canada's organizational appropriations, consult the 2018–19 Main EstimatesFootnote vi
Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations
The Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations provides a general overview of Elections Canada's operations. The forecast of financial information on expenses and revenues is prepared on an accrual accounting basis to strengthen accountability and to improve transparency and financial management.
Because the Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations is prepared on an accrual accounting basis and the forecast and planned spending amounts presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan are prepared on an expenditure basis, amounts may differ.
A more detailed Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and associated notes, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations to the requested authorities, can be found on Elections Canada's website.Footnote vii
Financial Information | 2018–19 Forecast Results |
2019–20 Planned Results |
Difference (2019–20 Planned Results Minus 2018–19 Forecast Results) |
---|---|---|---|
Total expenses | 207,371,500 | 515,794,873 | 308,423,373 |
Total revenues | - | - | - |
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers | 207,371,500 | 515,794,873 | 308,423,373 |
Elections Canada estimates $515.8 million in expenses for 2019–20. This represents an increase of $308.4 million from the 2018–19 forecast results; this is mainly due to the conduct of the 43rd general election scheduled for October 2019.