1 Campaign Finance for the 2009 General Election

2 Election Finance for the General Election  Election expenses  Spending limits  Political contributions  Prohibited sources  Tax receipts  Election advertising  Reports

3 Election Expenses  Section 183  Value of property or services, used during the 60 day pre-campaign period and the 29 day campaign period to promote or oppose a candidate or a registered political party  “Used” is key  When the item was purchased, paid for or received as a contribution is not relevant

4 Spending Limits  2 periods  60 day pre-campaign period  Campaign period  Separate limits for each period  $1.1 million & $4.4 million for parties  $70,000 & $70,000 for candidates  Registered constituency associations incur election expenses only on behalf of candidates with candidate financial agent permission – subject to candidate limits

5 Political Contributions  Section 180  Money and fair value of donated goods and services  Membership fees for a political party or constituency association  Fees for political party conferences, workshops & conventions  Some fundraising function income  Some loans

6 Prohibited Sources  Unregistered political parties  Unregistered constituency associations  Charitable organizations  Federal political parties  Federal electoral district associations

7 Tax Receipts  Only for money  Registered political parties & registered constituency associations – any time  Candidates - only for political contributions received after Certificate of Candidacy and before Writ returned

8 Election Financing Reports  Parties which ran candidates  Constituency associations with candidates  Candidates  90 days after GVD – August 10, 2009  Audited if total election expenses or political contributions = $10,000 or more

9 Election Advertising Defined  Section 228  During 60 day pre-campaign period and campaign period  Promotes or opposes, directly or indirectly, a registered political party or a candidate  Includes taking a position on issues associated with parties or candidates  Does not include…..

10 Not Election Advertising  News, editorials, interviews, columns, letters, debates, speeches or commentaries published without charge in a bona fide periodical on a radio or tv program  Distributing or promoting a book, for no less than fair value, if the book was to be made public regardless of the election  Transmitting a document directly by a person or group to their members, employees or shareholders  Individuals transmitting personal political views on a non-commercial basis via the internet, text or phone

11 Election Advertising by Parties & Candidates  Authorized by John Smith, financial agent,  Not required for:  Clothing  Novelty items such as buttons, badges, wrist bands  Small items of nominal value intended for personal use, such as pens, mugs, magnets  Expenses subject to election expenses limit  Report in election financing report

12 3 rd Party Advertisers  During 60 day pre-campaign period and campaign period  Must be registered  Must be independent of political parties, constituency associations, candidates & agents  Limits:  $3,000 in relation to a single ED, and  $150,000 overall  Disclosure reports required if $500 or more