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Transcript of Video on Reporting for Electoral District Associations

Registered associations have to file certain reports with Elections Canada regularly. This module highlights the key reporting requirements. For a complete list of reports and forms, please visit the Elections Canada website.

There are three main reporting categories: registry reports, financial reports, and nomination contest reports.

Let's start with registry reports. During the year, any time an association changes any of its officers or makes new appointments, the chief executive officer has to report the change to Elections Canada within 30 days so we can update our registry.

Every spring, registered associations receive a package from Elections Canada with the association's current registry information. The chief executive officer has to certify that the information is accurate or provide updates. The deadline is May 31.

Now let's look at financial reports. By May 31 each year, the financial agent has to send Elections Canada the Registered Association Financial Transactions Return for the last fiscal period. An auditor's report and invoice must accompany the return if the association accepted contributions totalling $10,000 or more, or incurred expenses (not including transfers to affiliated political entities) totalling $10,000 or more, in the fiscal period. Elections Canada pays an audit subsidy directly to the auditor. Registered associations must also report the contributions they received in the fiscal period to the Canada Revenue Agency. The deadline for this report is also May 31.

We strongly recommend that you prepare the annual financial return using Elections Canada's free reporting software. It makes your work much easier. Instructions on how to access the software and video tutorials are available on our website.

Finally, let's take a quick look at nomination contest reports. An association that held a nomination contest must send Elections Canada a nomination contest report within 30 days after the selection date. If the contest was held by the registered party, it is up to the party to file the report.

Now what if you cannot file a report by the deadline? The financial agent or the chief executive officer can ask Elections Canada to extend the filing deadline for the annual financial return and auditor's report. But the request has to be received by Elections Canada within two weeks after the deadline.

When it comes to registry reports, the Canada Elections Act does not allow for deadline extensions. Be sure to file them on time using the prescribed forms.

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

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