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Advisory Committee of Political Parties – Meeting Summary – February 13 and 14, 2019

3. Regulatory Framework: New Political Financing Requirements

Presenter: Josée Villeneuve (Senior Director, Political Financing)

Ms. Villeneuve discussed the new political financing requirements under Bill C-76 as they apply to registered political parties. She discussed regulated fundraising activities and the requirements thereof. She also briefed parties on the policy for the protection of personal information requirements as they apply to political parties, on the rules for pre-election period and partisan advertising, and the rules around interacting with third parties. Ms. Villeneuve ended her presentation by briefly discussing accessibility expenses parties may incur to accommodate persons with disabilities.

The session concluded with a question and answers session. Elections Canada answered a range of questions about:

  • The applicability of certain requirements with regard to independents and individuals sitting in the House of Commons but not as a part of a registered political party;
  • The elements required under the new policy for the protection of personal information;
  • The distinction between Electoral District Associations (EDAs) and political parties with regards to the new requirements;
  • Clarifications with regards to spending limits for registered parties and third parties during the pre-election period;
  • The practice of some municipalities to charge a fee or deposit to political entities for the placement of signs on poles and other places; and
  • Responded to further questions about incremental accessibility expenses incurred by political parties.

The CEO committed to provide further guidance to political parties during the Steering Committee on Opinions, Guidelines and Interpretations (OGI) meeting on some of the more technical questions raised during the Q&A session.