Site MenuPolitical Financing Handbook for Registered Parties and Chief Agents (EC 20231) – December 2023
16. Redistribution of Electoral Districts
This chapter explains the process of electoral redistribution and how it affects a registered party and its electoral district associations. It covers the following topics:
- What is electoral redistribution?
- Existing registered associations–effect and steps to take
- New electoral district associations–effect and steps to take
- Role of the registered party
What is electoral redistribution?
Electoral redistribution is a process that starts after every 10-year census. The number of electoral districts (and therefore seats in the House of Commons) given to each province is recalculated based on a legislative formula.
Independent commissions for each province redraw the electoral boundaries to account for changes in the number of electoral districts or movements in the population. The Governor in Council proclaims the final decisions in a representation order.
The process takes over a year to complete. The representation order and new electoral districts come into effect when Parliament is dissolved for a general election called at least seven months after the representation order is proclaimed.
Redistribution timeline
- Commissions propose new maps, hold consultations and issue final reports
(minimum 1 year)
- Representation order is proclaimed by the Governor in Council
(as soon as possible after all reports are final)
- Registered parties and associations contact Elections Canada to transition to the new electoral districts
- Representation order comes into effect
(the day a general election is called, at least 7 months after proclamation)
Existing registered associations–effect of redistribution and steps to take
No change of electoral boundaries
(minimum 1 year)
(as soon as possible after all reports are final)
(the day a general election is called, at least 7 months after proclamation)
When there is no change to an electoral district's boundaries, there is no change to the status of a registered association in that district. It is automatically continued once the new representation order comes into effect. It does not have to file any paperwork with Elections Canada.
In this situation, if an association wants to be deregistered when the new representation order comes into effect, it will need to notify Elections Canada in writing.
Change of electoral boundaries
When an electoral district's boundaries change, even slightly, the registered associations in those electoral districts must change as well. A registered association can choose from two options.
Option 1–File a notice of continuation with Elections Canada
Filing a notice of continuation allows a registered association to continue without interruption in any new electoral district once the representation order comes into effect. If this notice is filed, it is the only paperwork that an association must submit to make the transition.
Elections Canada must receive the notice after the representation order is proclaimed but before the day Parliament is dissolved, when the order comes into effect.
The form Registered Association's Notice of Continuation and instructions for completing it are published on the Elections Canada website.
Note: The deadline for a registered association to file a notice of continuation cannot be extended.
Option 2–Do not file a notice of continuation with Elections Canada
If boundaries have changed and a registered association in the electoral district does not file a notice of continuation, it will be automatically deregistered on the day the new representation order comes into effect.
The association can continue to send transfers of funds and property within six months after deregistration to:
- its registered party
- another registered association of the registered party
Within six months after deregistration, the association must submit the Registered Association's Financial Transactions Return and, if required, an auditor's report for:
- the fiscal period in which the association became deregistered, up to the date of its deregistration
- any other fiscal period for which the association has not filed a return
Note: If an association is deregistered and chooses to register again under the new representation order, the new association is considered a separate entity. The deregistered association must file the reports mentioned above within six months after deregistration, and the new association must file a Registered Association's Statement of Assets and Liabilities within six months after registration.
New electoral district associations–effect of redistribution and steps to take
Party members can form a new electoral district association in anticipation of the future electoral districts. The association can apply to register in a new or revised electoral district as soon as the representation order is proclaimed, even if it is not yet in effect.
The association becomes registered once Elections Canada validates the application and enters the association in the Registry of Electoral District Associations. Elections Canada will inform the association of its registration date.
Note: Once registered, the new association immediately has all the rights and obligations of a registered association–such as submitting financial returns–even if the new representation order is not yet in effect.
Role of the registered party
Registered parties have a role to play in continuing or registering their associations in future electoral districts, so it is important for them to understand the options and deadlines outlined above.
The party leader's signed consent must accompany an association's notice of continuation or application to register in a future electoral district. The party must also plan to have no more than one registered association in an electoral district at a time.