1999-2000 Electoral Reform

Bill C-2, which received royal assent on May 31, 2000, introduces a new Canada Elections Act. The new Act came into force on September 1, 2000, after the Chief Electoral Officer published a notice in the Canada Gazette indicating that the necessary preparations for bringing the Act into operation had been made.

The following sources contain additional information on the electoral reform.

Rule changes regarding third parties. Click here.

The New Canada Elections Act

An Act respecting the election of members to the House of Commons, repealing other Acts relating to elections and making consequential amendments to other Acts

• Full text – HTML format
• Full text – PDF format

Summary Issues on Bill C-2

• Highlights of the New Canada Elections Act
  
• Overview of the New Canada Elections Act
  
• The Effect of the New Canada Elections Act on Electors
  
• Third Party Election Advertising
  
• New Rules for Advertising and Election Opinion Surveys
  
• More Transparent Electoral Financing
  

Bill C-2

• Bill C-2 assented to May 31, 2000
• Progress of Bill C-2 through Parliament
  
• Table of Concordance: Bill C-2 and the previous Canada Elections Act (PDF file)

Comments from the Chief Electoral Officer

• Notes for an Appearance by Mr. Jean-Pierre Kingsley, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Before the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Regarding Bill C-2 – the Canada Elections Act (April 12, 2000)
  
  • Highlights of Bill C-2: New Canada Elections Act (PDF file)
  • The New Provisions in Bill C-2: A Comparison with the Recommendations of the Chief Electoral Officer, the Parliamentary Committees and the Royal Commission on Electoral Reform and Party Financing (PDF file)
  • Spending on Electoral Advertising by Registered Political Parties in 1997 (PDF file)
  • Chronology of Canadian and U.S. Campaign Finance Systems (PDF file)
  • 1997 Canadian Election Study and Third Party Expenditures (PDF file)
    
    
• The Canada Elections Act: The Public's Right to Know. Notes for an appearance by Mr. Jean-Pierre Kingsley, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, before the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (October 28, 1999)
  
  • Results of a Study on Third Party Spending (PDF file)
  • Total Election and Advertising Expenses of Registered Political Parties, 1997 General Election (PDF file)
  • The New Provisions in Bill C-2: A Comparison with the Recommendations of the Chief Electoral Officer, the Parliamentary Committees and the Royal Commission on Electoral Reform and Party Financing (PDF file)
    
    
• Notes for an appearance by Mr. Jean-Pierre Kingsley, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, before the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (November 22, 1999)
  

Chief Electoral Officer's Recommendations

• The New Provisions in Bill C-2: A Comparison with the Recommendations of the Chief Electoral Officer, the Parliamentary Committees and the Royal Commission on Electoral Reform and Party Financing  (PDF file)
  
• Canada's Electoral System: Strengthening the Foundation (PDF file)
  
• Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada on the 36th General Election
  
• Notes for Remarks to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada on the 36th General Election by Jean-Pierre Kingsley, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (November 20, 1997)
  

Business of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

• Transcripts of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs Regarding Bill C-2
• Thirteenth Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (December 3, 1999)
• Twenty-second Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (March 23, 2000)

Business of the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

• Transcripts of the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Regarding Bill C-2

Parliamentary Review of Bill C-2

1. Debates of the House of Commons of Canada
   
   
2. Debates of the Senate of Canada
   

Major Court Cases Relating to the Federal Electoral Legislation

• Click here to access the list of court cases

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