Frequently Asked Questions
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and voting · Elections
· Elections
Canada · Election
financing ·
· Members
of Parliament · Political
entities including third parties · General
questions ·
- Does the prohibition on election advertising on
polling day set out in section 323 of the Canada Elections
Act apply
to campaigns placing phone calls or sending e-mails to electors
on polling day seeking their vote?
- 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?
- What is a registered party?
- Which political parties are registered?
- What is the standing of the parties in the House of Commons?
- Where can I find financial information on registered parties or candidates?
- How does someone become a candidate in an election?
- Does the prohibition against written
pledges in section 550 of the Canada Elections Act prohibit
a candidate from giving an election promise in writing?
- What is a third party?
- What are the rules for third parties?
- Does the prohibition on election advertising on polling day set out in section 323 of the Canada Elections Act apply to campaigns placing phone calls or sending e-mails to electors on polling day seeking their vote?
No. Among the other exceptions to the prohibition in subsection 323(1) which are set out in subsection 323(2) and section 324 of the Act, that prohibition does not extend to messages, whether live or automated, which are sent to a specific telephone or e-mail address.
- 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?
- 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?
Rule changes regarding third parties. Click here.
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.
* Click here to access the limit in effect.