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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

Agency Spending Trend

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

Long Description of Agency Spending Trend


Budgetary Planning Summary for Core Responsibilities and Internal Services (Dollars)
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.

Preliminary estimated cost of the 2019 general election
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

Human Resources Planning Summary for Core Responsibility and Internal Services (full-time equivalents)
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

Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations
for the Year Ended March 31, 2020 (dollars)
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.