Effects of the redistribution process on nomination contestants

Political parties or electoral district associations can run nomination contests to help determine who will represent the party as a candidate during a federal election in a given electoral district. Those running in the contests are called nomination contestants.

Effects of the redistribution process on nomination contests and contestants

When organizing a nomination contest, the registered party or association must decide what type of election they are selecting the candidate for. This will affect the nomination contestants’ spending limits and the electoral district information that they report to Elections Canada on the following forms:

• Nomination Contestant’s Campaign Return (EC 20171)
• Nomination Contestant’s Statement of Expenses (EC 20175)
• Report of Updated Information – Nomination Contestant (EC 20187)
• Nomination Contest Report (EC 20188)

Type of election	Nomination contest expenses limits	Applicable representation order
By-election called anytime before the next general election	Limits for 338 electoral districts	2013 representation order – 338 electoral districts
General election called less than seven months after the new representation orders are proclaimed	Limits for 338 electoral districts	2013 representation order – 338 electoral districts
General election called at least seven months after the new representation orders are proclaimed	Limits for 343 electoral districts	2023 representation orders – 343 electoral districts

More information

For more information about the rules and obligations related to nomination contests and contestants, please consult these resources:

• Political Financing Handbook for Nomination Contestants and Financial Agents (EC 20182)
• Political Financing Handbook for Registered Parties and Chief Agents (EC 20231)
• Political Financing Handbook for Electoral District Associations and Financial Agents (EC 20089)