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FAQs on redistribution

When will the new boundaries for the 2023 representation orders be implemented?

The 2023 representation orders were proclaimed September 22, 2023, marking the start of the transition period. This transition period allows the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer to prepare for the new boundaries, and political entities to make decisions regarding their associations and their nomination contests. During this period, the new boundaries exist by law, but are not fully implemented. The new boundaries will take effect at the call of the first general election taking place at least seven months after proclamation, the earliest date being April 23, 2024.

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Will Elections Canada be in contact with electoral district associations and parties?

Yes, each registered electoral district association will be contacted by email to update them on the status of their district in the new electoral map. They will be given the options available to them for continuation. All outcomes of their decisions will be explained in this communication so that it is clear what obligations will result and what the timelines are for fulfilling these obligations. The parties will be given the same information as their associations ahead of those individual communications.

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The electoral district boundaries of my district have changed. What happens to my association?

Your association must coordinate with your political party to decide if it should file a continuation, register a new association or deregister the old one. There are different implications and considerations for your association depending on what your political party decides to do. It is important that, once your association and your party have made a decision, you communicate it clearly and quickly to Elections Canada, so that we can make any changes to the associations' registration information.

Please consult with your political party.

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My electoral district's name has changed as a result of redistribution, do I have to change my association's name to match the new district name?

You do not need to change the name of your association to match the new name of the district. You can request to change the name of your association by submitting an update form. However, you must consult with your political party as they may want you to do something different.

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The electoral district boundaries of my district have not changed. What should my association do?

It is important to consult with your political party to verify its plans for the association. If no change is communicated to Elections Canada, the association will remain registered in the same electoral district. It is important that, once your association and your party have made a decision, you communicate it clearly and quickly to Elections Canada, so that we can make any changes to the associations' registration information.

Please consult with your political party.

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Does my association have to postpone any decisions during the seven-month transition period?

You do not need to postpone your association's decisions during the seven-month transition period. Any requests that will come into effect with the new boundaries can be submitted now. It is important to understand what consequences will arise if decisions regarding continuation are delayed until after the seven-month period has ended. You need to discuss decisions with your affiliated party before submitting a request to Elections Canada.

Please consult with your political party.

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Do I need to deregister my association?

You must consult with your party to determine whether you should request that your association be deregistered.

Please consult with your political party.

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What is the difference between the two continuation forms?

The Registered Association's Notice of Continuation (EC 20383) is used by associations to file a notice of continuation for one association, while the Registered Party Leader's Notice and Consent for the Continuation of Multiple Registered Associations (EC 20384) is used by parties in order to file a notice of continuation for multiple associations at once. You only need to submit one of these forms to Elections Canada for each association. The party leader must sign both forms.

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Is a continuation considered to be an annual confirmation?

No. Your association must file its annual confirmation of information contained in the registry of electoral district associations by the deadline of May 31 every year.

The request for continuation is strictly for redistribution decisions, whereas the annual confirmation form is required to provide a confirmation of the registry information, including the name of your association's appointed agents, chief executive officers and auditors, and your association's address.

Please consult with your political party.

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How does my association report on transfers after our deregistration date if my association is automatically deregistered when the 2023 representation orders come into effect?

Deregistered associations are only required to report their activity until the date of their deregistration, so they are not required to report on any transfers that are completed after that date. All transfers will be reported on the financial return of the receiving registered party or registered association. Your deregistered association should not submit updated or amended financial returns once the transfer has been completed.

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How do I transfer my nomination contestant's surplus if my association is deregistered because of the new representation orders coming into effect, or if it continues under the new representation orders?

You cannot transfer nomination contestant's assets to a deregistered association.

Associations that continue under the new representation orders maintain their status and therefore can accept the transfers of nomination contestants that were registered under their previous representation order.

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Can my association transfer to potential candidates before the seven-month transition period ends?

Rules governing association transfers to candidates endorsed by the party do not change in the context of the seven-month transition period. Please see Chapter 5 of the Political Financing Handbook for Electoral District Associations and Financial Agents for specific details and examples.

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How do I know what spending limits apply to my nomination contest?

The spending limit is tied to the electoral district in which the contest has been held. Your contest must be registered in an electoral district under either the 2013 representation order or the 2023 representation orders. Once the district has been chosen, the expense limits for that district (2013 or 2023) will remain fixed until the contest takes place. It is important to know the spending limits. See the spending limits for nomination contests on the Election Canada website.

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