Inflation factor for Canada Elections Act

Summary#

This Canada Gazette entry (Part I, Vol. 157, No. 10) records two short parliamentary notices. It republishes that Standing Order 130 had been published earlier and it sets an inflation adjustment factor for the Canada Elections Act for the one-year period beginning April 1, 2023; the Gazette text lists the factor as 180.0, 108.6 or 1.657 (the way the numbers appear in the notice is unclear). The inflation figure was provided by Stéphane Perrault, Chief Electoral Officer.

What it does#

• Notes that Standing Order 130 (rules about notices for private bills) was already published in the Canada Gazette on November 20, 2021, and points people to the Private Members’ Business Office for more information.
• Announces an inflation adjustment for the Canada Elections Act covering the year starting April 1, 2023. The Gazette text gives the adjustment as 180.0, 108.6 or 1.657 (the published wording is ambiguous).
  • This adjustment is used to recalculate monetary limits and payments tied to election law, 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#

• Candidates in federal elections.
• Registered political parties.
• Third parties that engage in partisan advertising or run election surveys.
• Registered associations, nomination contestants and leadership contestants who receive audit subsidies.
• People or groups planning private bills who may need the contact details in the notice (the Private Members’ Business Office).

Why it matters#

• The inflation adjustment changes the dollar amounts that limit how much parties, candidates and third parties can spend. That affects campaign budgets and how groups plan advertising and outreach during the year.
• Audit subsidy calculations are also tied to this factor, which can change the money parties and candidates get to help with post-election audits.
• The Gazette’s published numbers for the adjustment look unclear in places. Anyone who needs the exact factor for calculations should check with the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer or the official Canada Gazette record to confirm the correct figure.