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 Do the requirements of the third party election advertising provisions of the Canada Elections Act prohibit church officials from addressing members of their congregations respecting issues of importance to them?
No. The provisions of the Canada Elections Act respecting election advertising do not apply to church officials who address members of their own congregations respecting issues of importance to them. In addressing their own congregations, church officials are not transmitting election advertising to the public, even if the issue they address is otherwise an election issue. See the definition of "election advertising" in section 319 of the Act. Election advertising is also discussed on the Elections Canada Web site under Political Parties, Candidates and Others > Other Participants (Third Parties) > Questions and Answers About Third Party Election Advertising.
What is a registered party?
Since 1974, political parties have had the option of registering
with the Chief Electoral Officer. Registration offers political parties
status under
the Canada Elections Act and brings with it certain obligations
and benefits. Click
here for more information about this subject.
Which political parties are registered?
Click
here for a complete list of registered parties, their leaders and their
national headquarters addresses.
What is the standing of the parties in the House of Commons?
Click
here for the standing of registered parties in the House of Commons.
Where can I find financial information on registered parties or candidates?
Click
here for the financial reports of registered parties and candidates.
How does someone become a candidate in an election?
The right to be a candidate in a federal election is
written into the Constitution of Canada. Unless specifically disqualified
under the Canada Elections Act (see sections 3,
4
and 65),
a person needs only to be qualified as an elector (be at least 18 years
old on election day and hold Canadian citizenship) to run as a candidate.
A candidate's name may be followed on the ballot by the
name of his or her party, if that party is registered, eligible for registration,
and otherwise meets the requirements of the Act. A candidate may also
choose to be listed on the ballot as an "independent" candidate or with
no affiliation (see section 117).
For further details, see Part
6, sections 65–92, of the Canada Elections Act, the backgrounder
on Important
Considerations for Prospective Candidates, and the Election
Handbook for Candidates, Their Official Agents and Auditors.
Does the prohibition against written pledges in section 550 of the Canada
Elections Act prohibit a candidate from giving an election promise
in writing?
Section 550 of the Act provides that:
No candidate shall sign a written document presented by way of demand
or claim made on him or her by any person or association of persons,
between the issue of the writ and polling day, if the document requires
the candidate to follow a course of action that will prevent him or
her from exercising freedom of action in Parliament, if elected, or
to resign as a member if called on to do so by any person or association
of persons.
Section 550 does not prohibit election promises made by a candidate
to the electorate during an election campaign.
During an election period the candidate is prohibited from giving to
someone or some group a document which will commit the candidate, if and
when the document is subsequently presented to him or her, to take some
specific action in Parliament (or commit him or her to resign) which restricts
his or her freedom of action in Parliament.
What is a third party?
A third party is defined as a person or group, other
than a candidate, registered party or electoral district association of
a registered party, that purchases advertising during a campaign to support
or oppose a candidate, party or referendum position. Third parties must
apply for registration to the Chief Electoral Officer after the writs
are issued, once they have incurred $500 in election advertising expenses.
What are the rules for third parties?
Third parties must observe the spending limits for election
advertising: they may spend up to $3,000* per
riding, and up to $150,000* in
total during a general election (these amounts are adjusted for inflation).
Registered third parties must also submit financial reports showing contributions
and advertising expenses to the Chief Electoral Officer.
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