Canada

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Question Value
1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • CommentOnly natural persons that are Canadian citizens or permanent residents are allowed to donate.
  • Source
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?
  • CodeYes
  • CommentOnly natural persons that are Canadian citizens or permanent residents are allowed to donate.
  • Source
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • CommentOnly natural persons that are Canadian citizens or permanent residents are allowed to donate.
  • Source
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?
  • CodeYes
  • CommentOnly natural persons that are Canadian citizens or permanent residents are allowed to donate.
  • Source
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • CommentAll donations from legal entities banned.
  • Source
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?
  • CodeYes
  • CommentNo person or entity other than an individual who is a citizen or permanent resident can make a contribution to a registered party, a registered association, a candidate, a leadership contestant or a nomination contestant.
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7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?
  • CodeYes, above certain threshold
  • CommentBan applies to donations exceeding $20 [I$ 20].
  • Source
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?
  • CodeYes, above certain threshold
  • CommentBan applies to donations exceeding $20 [I$ 20].
  • Source
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?
  • CodeNo data
  • Comment
  • Source
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period?
  • CodeYes, for natural persons
  • Comment
  • Source

     

    Art 367: “(1) (…), no individual shall make contributions that exceed (a) $1,500 in total in any calendar year to a particular registered party; (…)” (Source: Canada Elections Act, 2000)
15. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period, what is the limit?
  • Code C$ 1,500 in total in any calender year
  • CommentThe $1,500 limit is adjusted for inflation.
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16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election?
17. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election, what is the limit?
  • CodeNot applicable
  • Comment
  • Source
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit?
  • Code $1,500 in total in any calender year/for a particular election.
  • CommentThe limit is adjusted for inflation.
  • Source
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign?
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?

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Question Value
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?
  • CodeYes, in relation to campaigns
  • Comment50% of expenses are reimbursed.
  • Source
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?
  • CodeShare of votes in next election
  • Comment2% of the number of votes or 5% of the number of votes in the electoral districts with endorsed candidates.
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30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding?
  • CodeShare of expenses reimbursed
  • Comment50% of party expenses. 60% of candidate expenses.
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31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?
  • CodeNo
  • Comment
  • Source
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
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33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?
  • CodeNumber of candidates | Share of seats | Other
  • Comment

    Two minutes is given to every party that indicated to the Broadcasting Arbitrator that it did not want an allocation of paid broadcasting time. The remainder is divided among parties that were allocated paid broadcasting time and among parties that requested an allocation of paid broadcasting time. The division of this remaining time is based on a) the share of seats in the House of Commons, b) the share of the vote and c) the number of candidates endorsed

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34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?
  • CodeNo
  • Comment

    Only to political parties

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35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?
  • CodeYes
  • CommentIndividuals can recieve tax credits for political contributions.
  • Source
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates?
  • CodeNo
  • Comment
  • Source
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties?
  • CodeNo
  • Comment
  • Source

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Question Value
38. Is there a ban on vote buying?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit?
  • Code $0.735 multiplied by number of names on the electoral list(s). See comments for more information.
  • CommentThe limits for political parties are calculated according to a formula based on the number of names on the preliminary or revised lists of electors for each electoral district. For a party, the electoral districts are those in which the party has endorsed confirmed candidates. The amount is adjusted for inflation and the base figure with which the names are to be multiplied is $0.735.
  • Source
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend?
  • CodeYes
  • Comment
  • Source
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit?
  • Code The limits for candidates are calculated according to a formula based on the number of names on the preliminary or revised lists of electors for each electoral district. The limit is adjusted for inflation.
  • CommentThe limits for candidates are calculated according to a formula based on the number of names on the preliminary or revised lists of electors for each electoral district. The limit is adjusted for inflation.?
  • Source
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities?
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist?

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Question Value
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?
  • CodeYes
  • CommentAnnual reports and quarterly reports.
  • Source
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?
  • CodeYes
  • CommentReport on election expenses.
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49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?
  • CodeYes
  • CommentReport on the candidate's campaign expenses, contributions, loans and transfers.
  • Source
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?
  • CodeYes
  • CommentAll reports are published on www.elections.ca, including summary reports made by the Commission.
  • Source
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?
  • CodeSometimes
  • CommentThe names and addresses of those whose contributions exceeded $ 200 and those who have requested some or all of their donation to be transferred to a particular leadership contestant must be reported to the Chief Electoral Officer
  • Source
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?
  • CodeEMB
  • CommentChief Electoral Officer
  • Source
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?
  • CodeEMB
  • CommentCommissioner of Canada Elections is tasked with enforcing electoral legislation.
  • Source
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?
  • CodeFines | Prison | Forfeiture | Deregistration of party | Other
  • CommentUp to $100,000 in fines, up to five years in prison, deregistration of party, community service. For specificities, please see articles 468, 500, 501, 505, 507, 477.61.
  • Source

Disclaimer: Maps presented do not imply on the part of the Institute any judgement on the legal status of any territory or the endorsement of such boundaries, nor does the placement or size of any country or territory reflect the political view of International IDEA. Maps are used in order to add visual clarity to data.