Elections Canada published the updated limits on expenses for regulated activities of third parties involved in federal elections in Canada.

The Canada Elections Act imposes a limit on expenses a third party can incur for regulated political activities.

For the period of April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, a third party is prohibited from incurring overall election advertising expenses of a total amount of more than $579,950 during a general election. The previous limit was $543,200.

For the same period of April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, a third party is prohibited from incurring election advertising expenses in a given electoral district of a total amount of more than $4,971 during a general election. The previous limit was $4,656.

Adjustments are made annually based on a formula of a base amount multiplied by the inflation adjustment factor in effect for the period.

Elections Canada has published the federal contribution limits for the 2023 calendar year.

In 2023, individuals may contribute up to $1,700 to independent candidates, leadership candidates, registered parties, and to, in total, all of the registered associations, nomination contestants and candidates of each registered party.

The limits also apply to any unpaid balance of loans made during a contribution period and the amount of any loan guarantees made during a contribution period. The limits increase annually by $25 on January 1.

On April 1, 2022, Elections Canada published the updated limits on expenses for regulated activities of third parties involved in federal elections in Canada. The Canada Elections Act imposes a limit on expenses a third party can incur for regulated political activities.

For the period of April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, a third party is prohibited from incurring overall election advertising expenses of a total amount of more than $543,200 during a general election. The previous limit was $525,700.

For the same period of April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, a third party is prohibited from incurring election advertising expenses in a given electoral district of a total amount of more than $4,656 during a general election. The previous limit was $4,506.

Adjustments are made annually based on a formula of a base amount multiplied by the inflation adjustment factor in effect for the period.

On March 21, Broadcasting Arbitrator Monica Song was reappointed to her position in charge of allocating broadcasting time among registered parties.

Ms. Song, who has served in the post since being originally appointed in 2020, is also a public law lawyer and partner with Dentons Canada LLP.

Besides allocating broadcasting time, a Broadcasting Arbitrator, which is a position mandated by the Canada Elections Act, has other duties. Responsibilities of this unique role mandated by the Canada Elections Act include issuing guidelines concerning the obligations of broadcasters during general elections and arbitrating disputes between political parties and broadcasters.

Song’s reappointment was made by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, according to the Elections Canada press release.

Elections Canada has published the federal contribution limits for the 2020 calendar year.

In 2020, individuals may contribute up to $1,625 to independent candidates, leadership candidates, registered parties, and to, In total, all of the registered associations, nomination contestants and candidates of each registered party.

The limits also apply to any unpaid balance of loans made during a contribution period and the amount of any loan guarantees made during a contribution period.

The limits increase annually by $25 on January 1.

On June 13, 2019, amendments to the Canada Elections Act affecting spending limits for third parties and political parties takes effect. Bill C-76, the Elections Modernization Act, received Royal Assent on December 13, 2018.

The bill is scheduled to take effect six months after Royal Assent, unless Elections Canada determines some portion of the law should take effect earlier. The legislation establishes measures to increase transparency regarding the participation of third parties in the electoral process by adding reporting requirements for third parties engaging in partisan activities, partisan advertising, and election surveys.

Additionally, the bill creates an obligation for third parties to open a separate bank account for expenses and creates an obligation for political parties and third parties to identify themselves in partisan advertising.

The bill also extends voting hours on advance polling days to encourage participation in the election process for voters. Bill C-76 also amends the Parliament of Canada Act to prevent the calling of a by-election for a vacant seat in the House of Commons within nine months before a scheduled general election.

Sometime before July 6, 2019, a by-election will be announced for the seat in the House of Commons representing Nanaimo–Ladysmith in the province of British Columbia.

On January 7, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, received official notice from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seat for Nanaimo–Ladysmith (British Columbia) became vacant following the resignation of Sheila Malcolmson, who resigned on January 2 to run in a provincial by-election.

Under the law, the by-election date must be announced between January 18 and July 6, 2019, and will signal the start of the by-election period.

According to Elections Canada, the earliest date the by-election can be held is February 25, 2019.

Sometime before March 18, 2019, a by-election will be announced for the seat in the House of Commons representing Burnaby South in the province of British Columbia.

On September 17, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, received official notice from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seat for Burnaby South (British Columbia) became vacant following the resignation of Kennedy Stewart, who resigned on September 14 in order to run for mayor of Vancouver.

Under the law, the by-election date must be announced between September 28, 2018, and March 18, 2019, and will signal the start of the by-election period.

According to Elections Canada, the earliest date the by-election can be held is November 5, 2018.

Sometime before January 30, 2019, a by-election will be announced for the seat in the House of Commons representing Outremont in the province of Quebec.

On August 3, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, received official notice from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seat for Outremont (Quebec) became vacant following the resignation of Tom Mulcair, who left office to teach at the at Universite de Montreal and to become a regularly scheduled political commentator at CJAD radio and CTV news.

Under the law, the by-election date must be announced between August 14, 2018, and January 30, 2019, and will signal the start of the by-election period. According to Elections Canada, the earliest date the by-election can be held is September 24, 2018.

On May 13, Elections Canada announced a federal by-election will be held on June 18 in the electoral district of Chicoutimi–Le Fjord (Quebec) to fill a vacancy in the House of Commons.

MP Denis Lemieux had announced his resignation in November of last year with an effective date of December 1.

Lemieux had cited family reasons for leaving office. He had been in the office since 2015.

On May 7, Elections Canada announced a by-election for the House of Commons will be held for the seat for Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes (Ontario).

The seat was held by MP Gordon Brown, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack on May 2.

On May 3, Stéphane Perrault, Acting Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, received official notice from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seat was vacant.

Canadian law requires the date of this by-election be announced between May 14, 2018, and October 30, 2018, which will signal the start of the by-election period.

On December 5, Elections Canada announced a by-election for the House of Commons will be held for the seat for Chicoutimi–Le Fjord (Quebec). The seat was vacated by MP Denis Lemieux, who announced his plan to resign in November for family reasons.

On December 4, Stéphane Perrault, Acting Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, received official notice from the Speaker of the House of Commons that the seat was vacant. Canadian law requires the date of this by-election be announced between December 15, 2017, and June 2, 2018, which will signal the start of the by-election period.