Site MenuCosts of General Elections, 37th to 44th – CEO appearance on the Main Estimates 2022-2023 before the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
| Minority Governments | Estimated | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37th G.E. (2000) |
38th G.E. (2004) |
39th G.E. (2006) |
40th G.E. (2008) |
41th G.E. (2011) |
42nd G.E. (2015) |
43rd G.E. (2019) |
44th G.E. (2021) |
|
| Number of Electoral Districts | 301 | 308 | 308 | 308 | 308 | 338 | 338 | 338 |
| Number of Electors on Final List | 21,243,473 | 22,466,621 | 23,054,615 | 23,677,639 | 24,257,592 | 25,939,742 | 27,373,058 | 27,509,158 |
| Number of Voters | 12,997,185 | 13,683,570 | 14,908,703 | 13,929,093 | 14,823,408 | 17,711,983 | 18,350,359 | 17,209,811 |
| EC Headquarters and Field Offices ($ M) | $175.8 | $223.1 | $227.2 | $230.3 | $229.3 | $367.6 | $436.2 | $563.3 |
| Reimbursements to Parties and Candidates ($ M) | $24.8 | $56.2 | $53.0 | $56.3 | $60.4 | $104.1 | $64.6 | $66.7 |
| Total Cost of Election ($ M) | $200.6 | $279.3 | $280.2 | $286.6 | $289.7 | $471.7 | $500.8 | $630.0 |
| Cost per Elector ($) | $9.44 | $12.43 | $12.15 | $12.10 | $11.94 | $18.18 | $18.30 | $22.90 |
| Costs in Constant 2021 Dollars: | ||||||||
| Total Cost of Election ($ M) | $295.8 | $372.2 | $358.8 | $352.2 | $340.7 | $516.2 | $514.3 | $630.0 |
| Cost per Elector ($) | $13.93 | $16.57 | $15.56 | $14.87 | $14.05 | $19.89 | $18.79 | $22.90 |
Cost Comparison Note: Although the bottom line numbers have been adjusted to account for inflation (see Costs in Constant 2021 Dollars), there are other factors that influence the costs of general elections. Key factors are the number of electoral districts and polling stations, legislative changes, service improvements to electors, the length of the electoral calendar, increase to fees 3nd allowances paid to thousands of election workers, and the number of candidates and political parties eligible for reimbursement of election expenses.
| Estimated Cost of GE43 | $500.8 |
|---|---|
| Field Offices and Personnel, incl. Increased Rates of Pay for Field Workers | $44.7 |
| Pandemic Measures | $42.0 |
| Inflation | $13.9 |
| IT Infrastructure | $12.8 |
| Readiness cost due to timing of election | $11.4 |
| Elections Canada HQ | $11.2 |
| Length of election period | ($6.8) |
| Estimated Cost of GE44 | $630.0 |