Election Inflation Adjustment Factor 2026

Summary#

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Stéphane Perrault, published the inflation adjustment factor under the Canada Elections Act for the one-year period beginning April 1, 2026. The Gazette lists the factor as 195.5 (the notice also shows a second numeric form that appears unclear in the published text).

What it does#

• Sets the inflation adjustment factor that will apply for the one-year period beginning April 1, 2026.
• That factor is used to calculate:
  • limits on election expenses for candidates;
  • limits on partisan advertising expenses and election expenses for registered parties;
  • limits on partisan activity expenses, partisan advertising expenses, election advertising expenses and election survey expenses for third parties;
  • audit subsidy payments for registered associations, nomination contestants, candidates and leadership contestants.
• The same Gazette page also notes Standing Order 130 (a procedural notice about private bills) and gives contact details for the Private Members’ Business Office; the Clerk named is Eric Janse.

Who's affected#

• Political candidates and their campaigns.
• Registered political parties.
• Third parties that run partisan advertising or election surveys.
• Registered associations, nomination contestants and leadership contestants who receive audit subsidies.
• Groups or individuals interested in private bills (see the Private Members’ Business Office contact).

Why it matters#

• The inflation adjustment changes the dollar limits that govern campaign spending and advertising. That affects how much parties, candidates and third parties can spend during election periods.
• It also changes the calculation of audit subsidies — the money some campaign actors can get back for reporting and audit costs.
• If you plan or advise on political advertising, campaign budgets, or third-party activity, the exact factor matters for compliance and budgeting. The published notice contains a formatting ambiguity about the numeric form, so check the official Gazette or the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer if you need the precise number.