Site MenuPolitical Financing Handbook for Nomination Contestants and Financial Agents (EC 20182) – December 2023
About This Document
Introduction to the handbook
This handbook is designed to help nomination contestants and their financial agents in the financial administration of the nomination contestant's campaign.
This document is a general guideline issued pursuant to section 16.1 of the Canada Elections Act. It is provided for information and is not intended to replace the Act.
Elections Canada will review the contents of this handbook on a regular basis and make updates as required.
Note: In this handbook, the term "individual" refers to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident when used in the context of contributions or loans.
What's new in this release?
| Release | Where | Title | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2023 | All | n/a | Contribution limits for 2024 updated in tables and examples. |
| Chapter 1 | Important reminders for nomination contestants and their financial agents | Reminders were simplified and reformatted. | |
| Chapter 3 | Accepting and recording contributions | Clarified that a contributor's business address cannot be recorded in place of their home address. | |
| Remitting anonymous contributions that cannot be accepted Returning ineligible or non-compliant contributions |
Added the option to remit contributions by bank transfer. | ||
| Chapter 5 | Transfers sent to the nomination contestant's campaign | Clarified what it means for property or services to be "offered equally." | |
| Chapter 7 | Regulated fundraising events | Added details on reporting an event location and returning contributions, as per OGIs 2022-04, Disclosing the Location of a Regulated Fundraising Event and 2023-01, Regulated Fundraising Events. | |
| Chapter 8 | What are nomination campaign expenses? | Clarified that campaign funds cannot be used to pay certain penalties. | |
| Chapter 9 | Voter databases, surveys and research Parliamentary database of a member of Parliament |
New position that use of existing voter database software is a nomination contest expense. Added content as per OGI 2022-03, Voter Databases and Election Expenses. | |
| Cell phones | New position that only the incremental cost to use a personal cell phone during a contest may be a nomination contest expense. | ||
| Campaign workers and related expenses | Added content on providing gift cards to cover incidental expenses. | ||
| Chapter 14 | Supporting documents | New section on documents that must be submitted with financial returns. | |
| Chapter 16 | If the financial agent is aware of a surplus | Section deleted because it is not used in practice. |
Contact information
| Website | elections.ca |
|---|---|
| Political Entities Support Network |
Telephone |
| Elections Canada General Enquiries |
Telephone |
30 Victoria Street |