open Secondary menu

Costs of general elections, 37th (2000) to 43rd (2019)CEO Appearance on the Main Estimates 2020–2021

Majority Governments Minority Governments Majority Governments Estimated
37th GE (2000) 38th GE (2004) 39th GE (2006) 40th GE (2008) 41st GE (2011) 42nd GE (2015) 43rd GE (2019)
Number of Electoral Districts 301 308 308 308 308 338 338
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
Number of Voters 12,997,185 13,683,570 14,908,703 13,929,093 14,823,408 17,711,983 18,350,359
EC Headquarters and Field Offices ($ M) $175.8 $223.1 $227.2 $230.3 $229.3 (a) $367.6 (b) $436.8 (c)
Reimbursements to Parties and Candidates ($ M) $24.8 $56.2 $53.0 $56.3 $60.4 (d) $104.1 (e) $71.1 (f)
Total Cost of Election ($ M) $200.6 $279.3 $280.2 $286.6 $289.7 $471.7 $507.9
Cost per Elector ($) $9.44 $12.43 $12.15 $12.10 $11.94 $18.18 $18.56
Costs in Constant 2019 Dollars: Total Cost of Election ($ M) $288.1 $362.4 $349.3 $342.9 $331.8 $502.6 $507.9
Costs in Constant 2019 Dollars: Cost per Elector ($) $13.56 $16.13 $15.15 $14.48 $13.68 $19.37 $18.56

Cost Comparison Note: Although the bottom line numbers have been adjusted to account for inflation (see Costs in Constant 2019 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, increases to fees and allowances paid to thousands of election workers, and the number of candidates and political parties eligible for reimbursement of election expenses.

Explanation of Cost Increase between 42nd GE (2015) and 41st GE (2011) :
EC Headquarters and Field Offices ($ M):
Cost Increase between GEs Cost ($ M)
42nd GE (2015) 367.6 (b)
41st GE (2011) $229.3 (a)
Difference $138.3
Key Factors
Service Improvements (incl. compliance and accessibility) $36.3
Inflation, Elector Growth, Voter Turnout at Advance Polls $29.0
IT infrastucture, security, incl. data centre, field equipment, Web hosting $25.0
Increased calendar from 36 to 78 days $24.0
Legislative changes (C-23, Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act (EBRA) +30 EDs) $24.0
$138.3
Explanation of Cost Increase (Decrease) between 42nd GE (2015) and 41st GE (2011) :
Reimbursements to Parties and Candidates ($ M):
Cost Increase between GEs Cost ($ M)
42nd GE (2015) $104.1 (e)
41st GE (2011) $60.4 (d)
Difference $43.7
Impact of longer calendar on spending limits/reimbursements, C-23 (spending limits increase), EBRA + 30 EDs (increase in candidates), inflation
Explanation of Cost Increase between 43rd GE (2019) and 42nd GE (2015) :
EC Headquarters and Field Offices ($ M):
Cost Increase between GEs Cost ($ M)
43rd GE (2019) $436.8 (c)
42nd GE (2015) $367.6 (b)
Difference $69.2
Key Factors
Improvements to working conditions and services to electors, incl. extended adv. poll hours (C-76) , inflation and elector growth $35.0
Modernization of IT infrastructure for reliability and security $25.0
Service improvements, incl. support to ROs, optimized voting process, etc. $13.0
Direct Employee Benefits Plan (EBP) costs (accounting methodology change) $16.0
Reduced calendar from 78 to 40 days ($19.8)
$69.2
Explanation of Cost Increase (Decrease) between 43rd GE (2019) and 42nd GE (2015) :
Reimbursements to Parties and Candidates ($ M):
Cost Increase between GEs Cost ($ M)
43rd GE (2019) $71.1 (f)
42nd GE (2015) $104.1 (e)
Difference ($33.0)
Impact of reduced calendar on spending limits/reimbursements (pre-C-76), net of increase for Accessibility expenses (C-76) and inflation