Site MenuAppendix B: Research instruments – Survey of Official Agents following the 44th General Election
Advance e-mail broadcast
Subject: Survey of Official Agents
(le texte français suivra)
Good day,
As part of its post-election activities, Elections Canada is reaching out to the official agents of candidates in the general election of September 20, 2021 about their experiences with the electoral campaign return process, during and/or following the election.
As an official agent, you are uniquely able to provide informed opinions and insights on this process. We would like to invite you to contribute to this effort by participating in an upcoming online survey, hosted by a trusted third party, Environics Research.
In the next few days, you will receive an email invitation from Environics asking you to take part in this important survey. Your participation in the survey is voluntary, however we encourage you to take part as the results of the survey will be used to improve the electoral return process and the products and services we provide to candidates and official agents in future federal elections. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Your responses are completely confidential.
If you have questions about this survey or wish to confirm its authenticity, please contact Correspondance-Correspondence@elections.ca, or you can call Elections Canada's toll-free number at 1-800-463-6868 from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, to speak with an agent.
Thank you in advance for your support, and we look forward to your participation.
Tamara Kluke
Director, Centre of Operations
Political Financing
Follow-up e-mail broadcast with survey link
Subject: Survey of Official Agents
(le texte français suivra)
Dear [name],
As mentioned in our recent email, Elections Canada has contracted Environics Research to conduct a survey of the official agents of candidates in the general election of September 20, 2021 about their experiences with the campaign electoral return process, during and/or following the election.
As an official agent, you are uniquely able to provide informed opinions and insights on this process. The results of the survey will be used to improve the electoral return process and the products and services provided to candidates and official agents in future federal elections.
The survey will take 15 minutes to complete. Your participation in the survey is voluntary and your responses will be completely confidential.
Please click on the following link to complete the survey:
Insert linkIf you do not have time to complete the survey in one sitting, you can return to it by clicking again on the link above. Once the survey period closes on March 13, if you decide not to complete the entire questionnaire, your answers will not be retained.
If you have questions about this survey or wish to confirm its authenticity, please contact Correspondance-Correspondence@elections.ca, or you can call Elections Canada's toll-free number at 1-800-463-6868 from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, to speak with an agent.
This study has been registered with the Canadian Research Insights Council's Research Verification Service so that you may validate its authenticity. If you would like to enquire about the details of this research, you can visit CRIC's website:
www.canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca/rvs/home/?lang=en and enter reference project code 20230208-EN925.
Elections Canada – Official Agents 2023
Online Questionnaire
Splash page
Please select your preferred language for completing the survey. / Veuillez choisir la langue dans laquelle vous préférez répondre au sondage.
01 – English
02 – Français
Thank you for participating in this survey for official agents of candidates in the general election of September 20, 2021. Your input is important and your participation in this research is much appreciated.
This survey is being conducted on behalf of Elections Canada and the results will be used to guide decisions regarding communications products and services for the next federal election.
The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete, depending on your responses.
Your participation is voluntary and completely confidential. All your answers will remain anonymous and will be combined with responses from others. Any personal information collected is subject to the federal Privacy Act and will be held in strict confidence. By taking part in this survey, you consent to the use of your answers for research and statistical purposes. The anonymous database of all responses may be shared with external researchers under the strict condition that no personal information is ever distributed or made public.
If you wish to verify the legitimacy of this research or to register a complaint, please contact Correspondance-Correspondence@elections.ca or you can call Election Canada's toll-free number at 1-800-463-6868 and speak to an Elections Canada agent from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. To get information about the survey industry or to ask technical questions about this survey, please contact Brenda Sharpe at Environics at brenda.sharpe@environics.ca.
This study has been registered with the Canadian Research Insights Council's Research Verification Service so that you may validate its authenticity. If you would like to enquire about the details of this research, you can visit CRIC's website www.canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca/rvs/home/?lang=en and enter reference project code 20230208-EN925.
Please click on » to continue.
[red = skip/branch/programming logic]Screening
1. Were you an official agent for a candidate who ran in the general election of September 20, 2021?
- 01 Yes
- 02 No thank and terminate
- 99 Not sure thank and terminate
Information about official agents
Experience in role of official agent
2. Was it your first time acting as an official agent for a candidate campaign?
- 01 Yes
- 02 No
- 99 Not sure
3. For how many candidates did you act as official agent in the September 2021 election?
- 01 One
- 02 Two
- 03 Three
- 97 More than three (please write in number) _____
If more than one candidate in q3 show
In completing this survey, please think about your experiences in dealing with Elections Canada for the candidate with the most complex reporting requirements.
Ask all
Getting the campaign underway
Opening the bank account
6. How clear was the obligation to open a bank account specifically for the candidate campaign?
- 01 Very clear
- 02 Somewhat clear
- 03 Not very clear
- 04 Not at all clear
- 99 Not sure
7. What, if any, aspects of opening a bank account specifically for the candidate campaign were difficult?
Select all that apply
Randomize 01-03
- 01 It was unclear what documentation was required to open the account
- 02 Obtaining the correct documentation was challenging
- 03 The bank was difficult to deal with
- 04 Other (Please specify) do not code – verbatims to be reviewed
- 98 No aspects were difficult [single mention]
- 99 Not sure [single mention]
Completing and Submitting the Electoral campaign return
Role
8. Were you the official agent at the time the electoral campaign return was prepared and submitted?
- 01 Yes
- 02 No skip to PE01
- 98 Not sure skip to PE01
Method Used to Submit the Electoral Campaign Return
9. Which method(s) did you use to submit the electoral campaign return to Elections Canada?
Select all that apply
- 01 Political Entity Service Centre (PESC)
- 02 Email
- 03 Regular mail or courier services
- 04 Fax
- 05 Delivered in person by the official agent or candidate
- 98 Not sure [single mention]
Training
10. Did you attend or access self-paced training on how to complete and submit the return?
- 01 Yes
- 02 No
- 98 Not sure
10B. Why did you not attend or access the training on how to complete and submit the return?
Randomize 01-05
Select all that apply
- 01 Do not like the online format for training
- 02 The timing of the sessions was not convenient
- 03 I was not aware of what was available
- 04 I did not know how to access it
- 05 Did not find the information useful
- 06 Other
- 98 Not sure [single mention]
Ease of completing the Electoral Campaign Return
11. Overall, would you say that the process of completing (filling out) the electoral campaign return was…
- 01 Very easy
- 02 Somewhat easy
- 03 Somewhat difficult
- 04 Very difficult
- 98 Not sure
12. Overall, would you say that the process of submitting the electoral campaign return was…
- 01 Very easy
- 02 Somewhat easy
- 03 Somewhat difficult
- 04 Very difficult
- 98 Not sure
13. What, if any, aspects of completing and submitting the electoral campaign return were difficult?
Select any statements that apply
Randomize 01-05
- 01 The instructions on how to complete the electoral campaign return were unclear
- 02 The form used to complete the electoral campaign return was too complex
- 03 The instructions on how to submit the electoral campaign return were unclear
- 04 The date by which to submit the electoral campaign return was unclear
- 05 The training provided on how to complete and submit the electoral campaign return needs improvement
- 06 Other (Please specify) do not code – verbatims to be reviewed
- 07 No aspects were difficult [single mention]
- 99 Not sure [single mention]
Electronic Financial Return (EFR)
14. Show to all: The Electronic Financial Return (EFR) is free software designed to help political entities issue contribution receipts and prepare their financial returns.
Did you use the Electronic Financial Return (EFR) software to prepare the return?
- 01 Yes
- 02 No skip to Q20
- 98 Not sure skip to PE01
If q14 = 01 ask Q15-19x: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about using the Electronic Financial Return (EFR) software to prepare the return?
Please select one response for each statement
Set up as grid
Randomize 15-19x
15. The instructions provided by Elections Canada on how to find this software were clear
16. The EFR software was not easy to install
17. The EFR software was easy to navigate
18. The instructions on how to use the EFR software and provide the submission file were not clear
19. It was easier to file the financial return using the EFR software than with the manual process
19x. The EFR software is accessible (new)
- 01 Strongly agree
- 02 Agree
- 03 Disagree
- 04 Strongly disagree
- 98 Not sure
20. IF Q14 = 02: Why did you not use the Electronic Financial Return (EFR) software to prepare the return?
Select any that apply
- 01 The User Guide for the EFR software was difficult to find
- 02 The instructions to install the EFR software were not clear
- 03 The EFR software could not be installed on my computer
- 04 The instructions on how to provide the EFR submission file were not clear
- 05There was an error message when I attempted to use the EFR software to prepare the final financial return file
- 06 Prefer to prepare the financial return manually
- 97 Other (Please specify) do not code – verbatims to be reviewed
PESC
PE01 Show to all: The Political Entities Service Centre (PESC) is a tool that allows you to access electoral products and services and to upload and submit financial returns.
Did you use the Political Entities Service Centre (PESC portal) to upload and submit the candidate campaign return?
- 01 Yes
- 02 No ask PE02
- 99 Not sure skip to next section
PE02 Why did you not use the Political Entities Service Centre (PESC portal) to submit the campaign return or any other document?
Randomize 01-04
Select any that apply
- 01 Was not aware of what to use the PESC portal for
- 02 Was not able to figure out how to log in
- 03 Was not able to figure out how to submit
- 04 Preferred to submit it another way
- 97 Other (Please specify) do not code — verbatims to be reviewed
- 99 Not sure [single mention]
- If no or not sure at PE01 skip to next section
PE03 How easy or difficult was it to use the PESC portal to submit the campaign return and other documents?
- 01 Very easy
- 02 Somewhat easy
- 03 Somewhat difficult
- 04 Very difficult
- 99 Not sure
PE04 Did you require support to upload and submit your campaign return?
- 01 Yes ask PE05-06
- 02 No skip to next section
- 99 Not sure skip to next section
PE05 What errors or difficulties did you encounter with PESC that required support?
Randomize 01-06
Select any that apply
- 01 I could not find the candidate I wanted to upload and submit for
- 02 I did not know how to switch entities
- 03 I could not remember my passphrase or reset it online
- 04 The link I got to set up my account did not work
- 05 I needed help applying digital consent
- 06 I needed help to upload my documents
- 07 Other
- 99 Not sure [single mention]
PE06 How easy or difficult was it to obtain support to upload and submit your return?
- 01 Very easy
- 02 Somewhat easy
- 03 Somewhat difficult
- 04 Very difficult
- 99 Not sure
Elections Canada Products and Services
show to all: This next section asks for your opinion about some of the products and services Elections Canada makes available for candidate campaigns.
Did you use, or were you aware of, the following Elections Canada products and services for candidate campaigns?
Please choose one response for each resource
Set up as grid
23. The Political Financing Handbook for Candidates and Official Agents
24. The Political Financing videos ("cartoons")
25. Electronic Financial Return (EFR) videos
26. The Political Entities Service Centre (PESC) video
27. The self-paced training modules available in Elections Canada's Virtual Training Centre
28. The live questions and answers sessions with Elections Canada subject-matter experts (held in late October 2021)
29. Deleted
30. The Political Entities Support Network 1-800 #
31. Correspondence with Elections Canada (by email at political.financing@elections.ca or by mail)
- 01 Yes, used it
- 02 Aware of this resource but did not use it
- 03 I was not aware of this resource
- 99 Not sure
ASK Q32 IF ANY 01 AT Q23-31
32. Which, if any, of these products did you find helpful?
show any products used (01 at 23-31)
Select any that apply
- 01 Political Financing Handbook for Candidates and Official Agents
- 02 Political Financing videos ("cartoons")
- 03 Electronic Financial Return (EFR) videos
- 04 The Political Entities Service Centre (PESC) video
- 05 The self-paced training modules available in Elections Canada's Virtual Training Centre
- 06 The live question-and-answer sessions with Elections Canada subject-matter experts (held in late October 2021)
- 07 The Political Entities Support Network 1-800 #
- 08 Correspondence with Elections Canada (by email at political.financing@elections.ca or by mail)
- 09 Another resource not listed was helpful (Please specify) do not code – verbatims to be reviewed — show to all asked
- 99 None were helpful [single mention] — show to all asked
33. What, if any, aspects of finding or using the products or services available on the Elections Canada website were difficult?
Select any statements that apply
Randomize 01-09
- 01 The Elections Canada website is hard to navigate/not user friendly
- 02 The products for Official Agents cannot be easily found
- 03 There is too much information on the Elections Canada website
- 04 The links to political financing resources on the website did not work
- 05 The training provided on how to complete and submit the electoral campaign return needs improvement
- 06 The PESC portal is not accessible
- 07 Using the EFR software or PESC portal is too complicated
- 08 The videos did not address topics required/needed
- 09 The self-paced training modules about the electoral campaign return need improvement
- 10 Other (Please specify) do not code – verbatims to be reviewed
- 98 There were no difficulties [single mention]
Political Entities Support Network (1-800 number)
[ask q34-39 if q30 = 01]
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the service you received from the EC 1-800 number for political entities:
Please select one response for each statement
34. The Elections Canada employee was courteous
35. The Elections Canada employee was knowledgeable
36. I was satisfied with the ease of access to the service.
37. I received a response in a timely manner
38. I was able to speak to someone in the language of my choice (French/English)
39. In the end, I got what I needed
- 01 Strongly agree
- 02 Agree
- 03 Disagree
- 04 Strongly disagree
- 99 Not sure
Correspondence with Elections Canada (by email or mail)
[ask q40-43 if q31= 01]
Set up as grid
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the service you received while corresponding by mail or email with Elections Canada:
Please select one response for each statement
40. The response was courteous
41. The response was informative
42. The response was timely
43. In the end, I received the information I needed
- 01 Strongly agree
- 02 Agree
- 03 Disagree
- 04 Strongly disagree
- 99 Not sure
Product and Services Gaps
ask all
AC01 Did you personally experience any difficulties with accessibility when using or interacting with any of Elections Canada's products or services during or after this general election?
- 01 Yes ask QAC02
- 02 No skip to Q46
- 99 Not sure skip to Q46
AC02 What accessibility difficulties did you experience?
[Open-ended]
46. Are there any other products or services Elections Canada could have provided that would have made serving as an official agent easier for you?
[open-ended]
- 98 Nothing else
- 99 Not sure
Elections Canada audit
ask all
47. Have you been contacted by Elections Canada for clarifications or to ask questions as part of an audit of the candidate campaign submission?
- 01 Yes ASK 48-55x
- 02 No skip to NEXT SECTION
- 99 Not sure skip to NEXT SECTION
48. How did Elections Canada contact you?
Select any that apply
- 01 Telephone call
- 02 Email
- 99 Not sure [single mention]
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about your interaction with Elections Canada concerning the candidate campaign audit:
Please select one response for each statement
Set up as grid
49. The Elections Canada employee was courteous
50. The Elections Canada employee was knowledgeable
51. The Elections Canada employee clearly described the steps needed to complete the task
52. The Elections Canada employee provided sufficient time to complete the task
53. It was easy to submit the requested information
54. The Elections Canada employee responded to my questions in a timely manner
55. The Elections Canada employee followed up regularly after the initial contact until the task was complete
55x The Elections Canada employee gave clear information about any required next steps following the completion of the audit
- 01 Strongly agree
- 02 Agree
- 03 Disagree
- 04 Strongly disagree
- 99 Not sure
Closing of the Campaign
show to all: This next section asks for your opinion of the steps for closing the campaign.
ask all
For each of the following steps for closing the campaign, please indicate how easy or difficult it was to complete:
Please select one response for each step
56. Fulfilling all reporting obligations before closing the campaign
57. Completing and submitting the statement of surplus
58. Disposing of any surpluses
59. Closing the campaign bank accounts
- 01 Very easy
- 02 Somewhat easy
- 03 Somewhat difficult
- 04 Very difficult
- 99 Not sure
Demographics
show to all: Finally, here are some questions to help us analyze the results of this survey.
60. In which age category do you belong?
Select one only
- 01 18 to 24
- 02 25 to 34
- 03 35 to 44
- 04 45 to 54
- 05 55 to 64
- 06 65 to 74
- 07 75 or older
61. How do you identify your gender?
- 01 Female
- 02 Male
- 03 Other
- 99 Prefer not to say
62. What language do you speak most often at home?
MULTIPLE RESPONSE PERMITTED
- 01 English
- 02 French
- 03 Other
63. Which is the highest level of education that you have completed?
Select one only
- 01 Less than a high school diploma or equivalent
- 02 High school diploma or equivalent
- 03 Registered Apprenticeship or other trades certificate or diploma
- 04 College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma
- 05 University certificate or diploma below bachelor's level
- 06 Bachelor's degree
- 07 Postgraduate degree above bachelor's level
- 99 Prefer not to say
64. Which of the following categories best describes your current employment status? Are you:
Select one only
- 01 Working full-time, that is, 35 or more hours per week
- 02 Working part-time, that is, less than 35 hours per week
- 03 Self-employed
- 04 Unemployed, but looking for work
- 05 A student attending school full-time
- 06 Retired
- 07 Not in the workforce (full-time homemaker or unemployed but not looking for work)
- 08 Other
- 99 Prefer not to say
Other comments
65. Is there anything else not covered in this survey you would like to share about your experience as an official agent for the general election of September 20, 2021?
[open-ended]
- 99 Nothing else
66. Would you be willing to be contacted by Elections Canada to provide feedback as Elections Canada develops new products and services for candidates and official agents?
- 01 Yes, I am willing to be contacted
- 02 No, I do not wish to be contacted
- If yes record name and email
Please provide your name and email so EC can contact you for your feedback. Your contact information will be provided to EC in a separate file and will not be linked to your survey responses.
Name: ___________
E-mail: ___________
This concludes the survey. This survey was conducted on behalf of Elections Canada. In the coming months the report will be available from Library and Archives Canada. We thank you very much for taking the time to participate and for your thoughtful feedback; it is greatly appreciated.
If you have any reason to believe your personal information is not being handled in accordance with the Privacy Act, you have a right to complain to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Toll-free: 1-800-282-1376 TTY: (819) 994-6591 Web: Go to www.priv.gc.ca and click "Report a concern"
Record:
67. Type of device used to complete survey