2023 Inflation Factor for Election Limits

Summary#

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer published the inflation adjustment factor used under the Canada Elections Act for the one-year period beginning April 1, 2023. The factor is 1.657 (derived from 180.0 and 108.6) and it changes how several election spending limits and some audit subsidy payments are calculated.
The Gazette item also notes that Standing Order 130 (about notices for private bills) was previously published on November 20, 2021.

What it does#

• Sets the inflation adjustment factor at 1.657 for the year starting April 1, 2023 (calculated as 180.0 ÷ 108.6).
• Uses that factor to adjust how various amounts in the Canada Elections Act are calculated, including:
  • limits on election expenses for candidates;
  • limits on partisan advertising and election expenses for registered parties;
  • limits on partisan activity, partisan advertising, election advertising and election survey expenses for third parties;
  • audit subsidy payments for registered associations, nomination contestants, candidates and leadership contestants.

Who's affected#

• Election candidates and their campaign teams.
• Registered political parties.
• Third parties that spend on partisan advertising, election advertising or election surveys.
• Registered associations, nomination contestants and leadership contestants who receive audit subsidies.
• Election administrators who apply the adjusted limits.
  If this list misses any specific groups, the Gazette text does not make that clear.

Why it matters#

• The factor adjusts financial limits to account for inflation. In practice that usually raises the dollar limits set in the law, so campaigns and political groups can spend more than they could under older index values.
• It affects what candidates, parties and outside groups are allowed to spend on campaigns and political advertising, and it changes some audit reimbursement amounts.
• The Gazette notice gives the factor but does not list the new dollar ceilings themselves. To see updated monetary limits you would need the revised figures or tables that apply the factor to the amounts in the Canada Elections Act.