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Political Financing Handbook for Registered Parties and Chief Agents (EC 20231) – June 2019 – Archived Content

This document is Elections Canada's archived guideline OGI 2019-06 and is no longer in effect.

Click on the link for the latest Political Financing Handbook for Registered Parties and Chief Agents.

About This Document

Introduction to the handbook

This handbook is designed to assist eligible and registered parties, chief agents and registered agents. It is a tool that will help in the financial administration of the registered party.

This document is a general guideline issued pursuant to section 16.1 of the Canada Elections Act. It is provided for information and is not intended to replace the Act.

Elections Canada will review the contents of this handbook on a regular basis and make updates as required.

Note: The term "individual" used in this handbook refers to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

What's new in this release?

Release Where Title Summary
June 2019 All n/a New contribution limits for 2019 updated in tables and examples.
Chapter 1 n/a New registration requirements added in relation to the party's policy for the protection of personal information.
Chapter 2 Volunteer labour is not a contribution New content and examples added as per OGI 2019-01, Volunteer Labour.
Accepting contributions of cryptocurrency New content added as per OGI 2018-10, Cryptocurrencies.
Activities conducted by others in coordination with the party may be contributions New content to clarify that a third party may be making a contribution when it acts to benefit the registered party.
Collecting online contributions on behalf of candidates New section on conditions for parties to collect contributions on behalf of candidates, as per OGI 2018-06.
Chapter 3 Types of loans New way to report a line of credit in some circumstances.
Chapter 6 Regulated fundraising events Concept of regulated events (definition, requirements and examples) introduced, as per Bill C-50.
Ticketed fundraising events Clarified what is included in the benefit for a ticketed fundraiser.
Other ticketed events New section on calculating the benefit when a ticketed event is held for promotional purposes rather than to raise funds.
Chapter 7 Partisan advertising expenses for the pre-election period New chapter on partisan advertising expenses of political parties and related rules, as per Bill C-76.
Chapter 8 Limits on election expenses Election expenses limit no longer prorated for elections over 37 days, as per Bill C-76.
Election advertising on the Internet Blackout rule clarified for Internet advertising on election day.

New text on the ad registry maintained by online platforms.
Election signs Uninstalled signs no longer discounted from election expenses, as per court ruling.New text on treatment of expenses related to vandalized signs.
Websites and web content New content and examples added on election expenses associated with websites, web content and pre-existing material, as per OGI 2018-04.
Travel expenses New content on expenses incurred to relocate campaign workers.
Communications during a by-election New content and examples added on when communication expenses are by-election expenses, as per OGI 2018-05.
Chapter 9 Accessibility expenses New chapter on accessibility expenses of registered parties, as per Bill C-76.
Chapter 11 Interacting with third parties in the pre-election and election periods New chapter on prohibited collusion with third parties in the pre-election and election periods, as per Bill C-76.
Chapter 13 Reporting Tables updated to include reporting on regulated fundraising events.
Chapter 14 Reimbursements New reimbursement of accessibility expenses, as per Bill C-76.

Contact information

Internet elections.ca
Telephone Political Entities Support Network
1-800-486-6563

Regular Hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time)

Elections Canada General Enquiries
1-800-463-6868
Fax Political Financing
1-888-523-9333 (toll-free)
1-819-939-1803
Mail Elections Canada
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M6
Email General Enquiries
info@elections.ca

Political Financing Enquiries
political.financing@elections.ca

Electronic Financial Return (EFR)—Enquiries and Submissions
efr-rfe@elections.ca