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Transcript of Video on Introduction to Electoral Campaign Expenses

The Canada Elections Act regulates a candidate's election spending. This module introduces the six categories of candidate expenses, collectively called electoral campaign expenses. Some electoral campaign expenses are subject to a limit, some are regulated by time, and some are reimbursable. All of them must be reasonably incurred because of the election.

  1. Election expenses are incurred for property or services used to directly promote or oppose a candidate during an election period. The election period starts on the day the election is called and ends on election day, when the polls close. For example, the cost of creating a campaign website is an election expense.
  2. The candidate's personal expenses are additional costs incurred because of the campaign for childcare, care of a dependant, or a candidate's disability, both during and outside the election period. Paying representatives at polling stations is also a personal expense.
  3. The candidate's travel and living expenses are in a separate category. They include additional costs for the candidate's meals, temporary lodging and transportation while campaigning, both during and outside the election period.
  4. Accessibility expenses are costs the campaign incurs to make materials or activities accessible to voters with a disability during the election period. For example, the cost of making a website accessible or adding a wheelchair ramp to the campaign office are accessibility expenses.
  5. Litigation expenses are fees for judicial requests and court applications related to the campaign. An example would be the cost of applying for a judicial recount.
  6. And finally, other electoral campaign expenses are expenses that are reasonably incurred because of the campaign but don't belong in any other category. For example, office rent before the election period or expenses for a thank-you party on election night belong here.

Remember that election expenses are subject to a limit, calculated for each electoral district. Some of the candidate's electoral campaign expenses will be eligible for a partial reimbursement, if the candidate is elected or receives at least 10% of the valid votes cast in their riding and meets their reporting obligations.

To learn more, please take a look at our other modules and resources.

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