Interpretation Note: 2019-07

Comments received from the Liberal Party of Canada

C1As accessibility expenses and disability-related personal expenditures are new concepts introduced in the Elections Modernization Act, we are suggesting some modifications to the OGI to provide greater clarity and insight.

Our first suggestion is to introduce a table or chart that would summarize accessibility versus disability-related personal expenses, including eligibility by political entity, permitted payers, reporting return treatment, and criteria and rate of reimbursement.

We provide a few specific points for consideration:

C21. On page 1 in the "Issue" section, it would be helpful to more clearly define and differentiate between accessibility expenses and disability-related personal expenses.

C32. On page 7 in the first provided example, it would be useful to state: "These personal expenses do not count against her spending limit and are not eligible for reimbursement as the reimbursement framework does not apply to nomination contestants."

C43. It would be helpful to have available the revised reporting returns to ensure financial accounting systems are adequately structured to capture the new expenditures.

Elections Canada response to the Liberal Party of Canada

R1A table has been added at the end of the Analysis and Discussion section to summarize the requested information.

R2The Issue section has been slightly modified to better explain the difference between accessibility expenses and disability-related personal expenses.

R3The example has been modified in line with your suggestion.

R4The revised candidate and party returns are now available on the Elections Canada website.

Comments received from the Commissioner of Canada Elections

C5We are in agreement with the content of the proposed interpretation note.

Elections Canada response to the Commissioner of Canada Elections

R5Elections Canada notes your comment.